CDC: More than 1,100 West Nile virus cases in U.S., about half in Texas
(AP) ATLANTA - U.S. health officials say there's been an alarming increase in the number of West Nile cases.
So far, there have been more than 1,100 cases of the sometimes deadly virus reported through the middle of August. That's three times as many as usually seen at this point in the year. Most West Nile infections are reported in August and September.
About half the cases are in Texas.
West Nile virus outbreak: How to protect yourself
More West Nile virus cases, deaths add to growing concern around U.S.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the new numbers Wednesday. They say the mild winter, early spring and very hot summer have fostered mosquito breeding. Mosquitoes pick up the virus from birds and then spread it to people.
West Nile virus was first reported in the United States in 1999.
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In 2003 cases/deaths = 9862 / 264
The incidence has actually been going down since then. This is election year scare tactics. Just like SARS, H1N1, Swine flu, bird flu blah blah blah. The media is seeing how far they can lead you by the nose. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/surv&control_archive.htm
BTW there is a vaccine, but it is for horses. On 1/10/08 - Initial testing for a human West Nile virus vaccine got the green light from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Of course the manufacture could not come up with the mob money to make it happen, so no vaccine yet.
OBAMA/BIDEN 2012 : )