The Buckingham

Photo Credit: www.inquisitr.com

The United States is currently having the largest ever West Nile virus outbreak.

According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, as of Aug. 21, the numbers of cases of West Nile is at 1,118, including 41 deaths.  And 38 states currently report human infections of the virus.

Dr. Lyle Petersen, the directior of the CDC’s Vector-Borne Infectious Disease Division, isn’t sure why the number of cases have been higher this year, but says the unusually warmer weather could create favorable conditions for the disease.

So far, around 75% of the cases are in Texas, Louisiana, South Dakota, Oklahoma, and Mississippi.  Texas has the most cases, however, with 586 confirmed cases and 21 deaths.