The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the nation is experiencing the earliest start to West Nile virus season in more than two decades. As of June 30, states have reported 48 West Nile cases to the CDC, with 38 involving neuroinvasive disease. This is a significant increase from the same time last year.
Local Impact
Maricopa County in Arizona has been the hardest-hit area, with 29 confirmed cases reported, including four deaths. Dr. Daniel Pastula, chief of neuro-infectious diseases and global neurology at the University of Colorado-Anschutz, advises residents in Arizona, particularly around Phoenix, to take mosquito bite prevention seriously.
Adults over 60 are at higher risk of both the infection and its most severe complications. Dr. Lyle Petersen, director of the Division of Vector-Borne Diseases in the CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, emphasizes the importance of prevention, as there are no specific treatments for West Nile virus.
Prevention measures include eliminating standing water around homes, using insect repellents, and wearing protective clothing. The federal government can also help by offering more financial support for local mosquito control programs and funding vaccine development.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
