U.S. West Nile Cases Triple In Week
Virus Expected To Reach All 50 States This Season
ATLANTA -- The number of cases of West Nile virus has tripled since last week, said Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Gerberding said at a news conference Thursday that, as of Wednesday, at least four people have died in three states -- Alabama, Colorado, and Texas -- with at least 153 reported infected in at least 16 states.
Experts predict West Nile virus will reach every state before the season ends with chilly fall weather. They said they are seeing big jumps in infections in states that had been spared before -- notably Colorado, which makes up more than one-third of the total U.S. cases.
West Nile virus is transmitted primarily by mosquitoes. Gerberding said it is very important for people use repellent and eradicate mosquito breeding areas such as stagnant water.
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