West Nile Virus Infects 222 in 32 US States, Killing 8
Updated
Updated · Newsweek · Aug 18
West Nile Virus Infects 222 in 32 US States, Killing 8
3 articles · Updated · Newsweek · Aug 18
Summary
CDC data through Aug. 18 logged 222 human West Nile cases across 32 states, up from more than 180 cases in 30 states reported earlier the same day.
Of those cases, 156 were neuroinvasive infections—the most severe form—and officials warned virus activity usually peaks in late summer and early fall.
Arizona leads the nation with 76 reported cases, followed by Texas with 31 and California with 29; deaths reported so far include five in Arizona and three in California.
CDC county maps also show infections in mosquitoes, birds and other animals beyond known human cases, suggesting wider circulation and reinforcing advice to avoid bites and remove standing water.
As shrinking water sources push infected birds into backyards, are your daily outdoor habits unknowingly exposing you to the deadly West Nile virus?
With climate change accelerating mosquito breeding, what hidden signs indicate a harmless bug bite has turned into a severe neuroinvasive West Nile infection?
How are health experts using dead backyard birds to predict exactly where the next severe West Nile virus outbreak will strike?