More West Nile Virus cases being seen throughout Southwest, 7 dead in Arizona

West Nile Virus is increasingly being detected around the U.S. Southwest following a rainier winter, with a record number of cases in Arizona’s Maricopa County and at least seven deaths statewide this year, the latest public health data showed Friday. Numbers from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show Arizona has the most cases of any state this year. Arizona’s updated public health statistics this week list Maricopa with more cases of infected people than any county, with 135 of 138 confirmed and probable cases statewide. It said seven people had died. The department cautioned on its chart that the numbers are subject to change. Southern Nevada has also emerged as part of the “hot zone” for the virus, with 28 cases reported in the area around Las Vegas as of last week. A scattering of cases was also reported in other states including California and Utah. New Mexico health officials said five more cases of West Nile virus detected in people have been confirmed in the state since the first one was reported in early August. Montana health officials also now say West Nile virus has been reported in people in that state for the first time this season. The virus can cause fever, headaches, body aches and nausea to more serious things like inflammation of the brain or spinal cord in rare instances. Most people infected by the virus will have no symptoms at all. There were 2,647 cases and 167 deaths nationwide in 2018, according to the CDC...MORE