“As of November 6, 2012, 48 states have reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes. A total of 5,054 cases of West Nile virus disease in people, including 228 deaths, have been reported to CDC.”-U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
In South Carolina, three people have died this year. State health officials also say that West Nile has also been found in 24 birds, five horses (one horse found dead) and nine mosquito samples. Related eastern equine encephalitis has been found in 15 horse, and one person.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control reminded people that colder weather does not necessarily reduce the changes of getting the disease: “Despite the approaching cooler weather, you still need to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Mosquitoes can be active in the fall, even after extended periods of cold weather. Bites to humans and other animals from infected mosquitoes can transmit diseases such as West Nile virus, La Crosse encephalitis virus, and eastern equine encephalitis virus, which have been found in higher numbers this year.”-Chris Evans, entomologist
The Georgia Department of Public Health reports another possible human case of West Nile, but admitted they don’t really keep track: “Public Health does not follow cases clinically. We get information strictly for surveillance purposes.”–Sally Silbermann, spokeswoman
Oklahoma health officials hope that West Nile cases will level off. So far the state has seen a record 176 human cases, with 12 deaths. They warn that unusually warm weather will extend the mosquito season.
In Pennsylvania, officials say, for the second year in a row, York County has the highest number of infected mosquitoes than anywhere else in the state. york County also saw a huge jump from 2011. In 2011 there were 154 groups of infected mosquitoes caught, so far for 2012 534 mosquito groups have tested positive for the virus. One official said they are getting better at catching mosquitoes, but not at understanding how West Nile spreads: “This virus, it’s really hard to get a handle on how it moves….We’re really having a hard time seeing any rhyme or reason why it jumps to one area or another.”-Matt Stough, Adams County Conservation District
On 05 November, Louisiana reported more cases. Six new human cases, two of which are infected with the deadly neuroinvasive West Nile. The southern state has at least 344 cases.
Today, the Mississippi State Department of Health reported three new human cases. The neighbor of Louisiana has a record number of cases of at least 236.
In North Carolina, a seventh human case has been reported. A ten year old boy.
South Dakota State University is experimenting with using satellites to predict West Nile virus outbreaks.
Reported today in Florida, a sentinel chicken (a chicken used to test for disease) tested positive for West Nile: “The flock is on Zebrafinch Avenue, west of U.S. 19 near the Hernando-Citrus county line.”-Tampa Bay Times
As of 07 November, California reports 395 human cases, 16 people have died.
Texas continues to get hammered. As of 05 November Department of State Health Services reports 1,737 human cases (79 deaths). Just in the past 24 hours another human death was reported in Tarrant County.