The CDC reported on Wednesday that 4,531 people have been infected by the West Nile virus, reaching a death toll of 183, up from 168 the previous week. Fifty-one percent of the cases were classified as neuroinvasive disease and 49% as non-neuroinvasive. U.S. News & World Report/HealthDay News (10/17)
CDC: West Nile virus outbreak on track to be largest in U.S.
The CDC reported that 1,118 people have been infected in 38 states due to the West Nile virus this year. As of Wednesday, 42 people had died. The outbreak is on track to be the worst since the disease was detected in the U.S. in 1999. The cause of the increase is unclear, but warm weather could be a contributing factor, the CDC’s Dr. Lyle Petersen said. HealthDay News (8/22), CNN (8/23)