2012 West Nile virus update: October 23
As of October 23, 2012, 48 states have reported West Nile virus
infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes. A total of 4,725 cases of West Nile
virus disease in people, including 219 deaths, have been reported to CDC. Of
these, 2,413 (51%) were classified as neuroinvasive disease (such as meningitis
or encephalitis) and 2,312 (49%) were classified as non-neuroinvasive disease.
The 4,725 cases reported thus far in 2012 is the highest number of
West Nile virus disease cases reported to CDC through the fourth week in October
since 2003. Almost 70 percent of the cases have been reported from eight states
(Texas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Illinois, South Dakota, Michigan,
and Oklahoma) and over a third of all cases have been reported from Texas.