17 West Nile virus victims

Daily News

Friday, 17/08/2012

17 West Nile virus victims

Dallas: State of the southwestern United States struggling to combat the outbreak of West Nile virus, after 17 deaths blamed on the mosquito-borne disease, authorities said Monday.



Across Texas, 465 population fell ill early this year, thus recording the highest cases since the disease first emerged a decade ago, the Department of State Health Services.

Declares emergency

Dallas Mayor Michael Rawlings have declared a state of emergency in the city in its efforts to prevent the outbreak.

This area, the ninth largest city in the U.S., the worst affected, causing the mayor to declare a local disaster.

"City of Dallas experienced West Nile outbreak caused by mosquitoes that cause severe and widespread infection and loss of life on an ongoing basis," he said.

Local authorities said the virus that claimed 10 lives in the area so far.
West Nile virus first discovered in Uganda in 1937, carried by birds before transmitted to humans by mosquitoes.

High fever

Virus severe signs include fever, loss of vision and paralysis, while modest signs include headache made ​​up a rash on the skin.

At least 693 cases of the virus reported in America this year, including 26 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Texas recorded the highest mortality of the disease so far. - AFP