The U.S. Centers for Disease Control said on Wednesday that 1,118 cases and 41 deaths had been reported so far this year, up from fewer than 700 cases and 26 deaths just one week ago.
That is the highest number of West Nile virus infections reported through the third week of August since the virus was first detected in the United States in ۱۹۹۹, the CDC said. The worst U. S. outbreak occurred in ۲۰۰۳, with ۹,۸۶۲ cases and ۲۶۴ deaths that year.
" We ' re in the midst of one of the largest West Nile virus outbreaks ever seen in the United States, " said Dr. Lyle Petersen, director of the division of vector - borne infectious diseases for the CDC.
Federal officials are stumped by the severity of the outbreak.
Cases usually flare up in the summer because the illness is most often transmitted from infected birds to people by mosquitoes.
Victims may suffer fever and aches that can become severe or even cause death, especially in the elderly, children and other at - risk groups. There is no specific treatment for the infection.
Symptoms are often mild and many people stricken do not see a doctor, meaning cases are likely underreported.
More than half of this year ' s cases are in Texas, but the disease now has been detected in ۴۷ states, and ۳۸ states have reported cases in humans, with only Alaska, Hawaii and Vermont reporting no cases.
About ۷۵ percent of the cases have been in Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma and South Dakota, officials said.
Nationwide, ۵۶ percent of cases are of the more serious type that can cause paralysis, meningitis or encephalitis, the CDC said. The remaining ۴۴ percent are the milder form of West Nile Fever.
HOT WEATHER A CULPRIT?
Officials said they were uncertain why this year ' s outbreak had been so severe. A mild winter, a hot summer and other factors such as fluctuations in the bird population are contributors, officials said.
" We don ' t really know why it ' s worse this year than in previous years, " Petersen said. " One observation that has occurred over many decades … has been that hot weather seems to promote West Nile virus outbreaks. "
Dallas, where a health state of emergency was declared this month, is experiencing an unprecedented epidemic, said Petersen.
Latest figures show there have been ۶۴۰ cases of the disease in Texas. Texas state health officials said ۲۳ people had died, including ۱۵ in north Texas.
" Dallas has been hardest hit, " said Dr. David Lakey, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services.
So far, ۱۱ deaths have been reported in Dallas County this year, compared with ۱۰ in the period between ۲۰۰۳ - when the disease was first detected in Dallas - and ۲۰۱۱.
Aerial pesticide spraying in the city of Dallas and surrounding cities has been under way since last week.
Officials are bracing for more cases because West Nile peaks in mid - August and lasts through September. There is often a lag between the time of infection and the appearance of symptoms.
Symptoms of the deadliest form of West Nile include headache, high fever, coma, neck stiffness, disorientation and paralysis. West Nile fever symptoms include fever, headache, body ache, swollen glands and sometimes a body rash, medical authorities said.
