West Nile Virus, Worst Year Ever Says CDC, USA

So far, this has been the worst year on record for West Nile virus infections, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 48 states have reported infections in humans, birds and/or mosquitoes. 1,993 people have been confirmed nationwide with WNV (West Nile virus) infection, of whom 87 have died. 54% (1,069) were classified as neuroinvasive disease and 924 as non-neuroinvasive disease. In neuroinvasive disease, the patient went on to develop encephalitis or meningitis.

Up to September 4th, more cases have been reported this year than ever before, says the CDC. West Nile virus first infected humans in the USA in 1999.

Six states make up over 70% of all cases - Michigan, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, South Dakota and Texas. Nearly 45% of all reported cases in the USA come from Texas.

Below is a breakdown by states of West Nile virus human infections reported to ArboNET, as of September 4th, 2012 (Source: CDC):

• Alabama
  Total cases 16. Deaths 1
• Arizona
  Total cases 25. Deaths 1
• Arkansas
  Total cases 31. Deaths 3
• California
  Total cases 55. Deaths 2
• Colorado
  Total cases 23. Deaths 0
• Connecticut
  Total cases 6. Deaths 0
• Delaware
  Total cases 1. Deaths 0
• District of Columbia
  Total cases 1. Deaths 1
• Florida
  Total cases 19. Deaths 0
• Georgia
  Total cases 22. Deaths 3
• Idaho
  Total cases 4. Deaths 0
• Illinois
  Total cases 48. Deaths 2
• Indiana
  Total cases 26. Deaths 3
• Iowa
  Total cases 7. Deaths 0
• Kansas
  Total cases 24. Deaths 1
• Kentucky
  Total cases 3. Deaths 0
• Louisiana
  Total cases 73. Deaths 6
• Maryland
  Total cases 14. Deaths 1
• Massachusetts
  Total cases 4. Deaths 0
• Michigan
  Total cases 95. Deaths 5
• Minnesota
  Total cases 41. Deaths 1
• Mississippi
  Total cases 113. Deaths 4
• Missouri
  Total cases 6. Deaths 1
• Montana
  Total cases 1. Deaths 0
• Nebraska
  Total cases 29. Deaths 1
• Nevada
  Total cases 0. Deaths 0
• New Hampshire
  Total cases 1. Deaths 0
• New Jersey
  Total cases 8. Deaths 0
• New Mexico
  Total cases 9. Deaths 0
• New York
  Total cases 26. Deaths 3
• North Carolina
  Total cases 4. Deaths 2
• North Dakota
  Total cases 35. Deaths 0
• Ohio
  Total cases 53. Deaths 1
• Oklahoma
  Total cases 113. Deaths 7
• Oregon
  Total cases 1. Deaths 0
• Pennsylvania
  Total cases 14. Deaths 1
• South Carolina
  Total cases 8. Deaths 0
• South Dakota
  Total cases 119. Deaths 2
• Tennessee
  Total cases 10. Deaths 0
• Texas
  Total cases 888. Deaths 35
• Utah
  Total cases 2. Deaths 0
• Virginia
  Total cases 5. Deaths 0
• West Virginia
  Total cases 2. Deaths 0
• Wisconsin
  Total cases 6. Deaths 0
• Wyoming
  Total cases 2. Deaths 0
Total Nationwide
Total cases 1,992. Deaths 87