Health officials are urging people to use bug sprays and other mosquito-control methods, as West Nile virus season begins earlier and more severely than in over two decades. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Wednesday that, as of June 30, there were at least 48 confirmed cases, including 38 severe ones. Typically, about 10 cases are reported to the CDC by this time each year since 2004. This year, 23 states have detected the virus, the highest number in a decade.
Dr. Erin Staples, a CDC expert in insect-borne diseases, emphasized, “These findings serve as an important reminder that mosquito season is well underway.” With Independence Day celebrations approaching, she encourages families to take simple steps to protect themselves and others from mosquito bites.
Arizona has reported most of the cases, with 32 in total. Of these, 29 are in Maricopa County, including four fatalities. Local health officials advise using bug spray with DEET, repairing damaged window screens, and eliminating standing water, which serves as a mosquito breeding ground. “Even an overturned bottle cap can hold enough water for mosquitoes to breed,” said Melissa Kretschmer, a county health department official.
The CDC recommends wearing long, loose-fitting clothing outdoors to prevent bites. Additionally, limiting outdoor activities during dusk and dawn, when the mosquitoes carrying the virus are most active, is advised.
West Nile virus was first reported in the United States in 1999 in New York and gradually spread nationwide, peaking in 2003 with nearly 10,000 cases. Many people may be infected without realizing it, experiencing only mild symptoms like headaches, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and rashes.
Severe cases affect the central nervous system, leading to potentially fatal inflammation of the brain or spinal cord. Older adults and individuals with underlying health conditions or weakened immune systems are at the highest risk of complications.
Over the past decade, health officials have received, on average, reports of 2,000 cases annually, including 1,200 involving life-threatening neurological issues and approximately 100 deaths.
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