67 deaths from West Nile virus reported in U.S.

A second death case from West Nile virus (WNV) has been reported in the Midwest State of Iowa, thus bringing the total number of WNV fatalities to 67 across the U.S. this year.

Patricia Quinlisk, medical director with Iowa Public Health Department, confirmed the death case to local radio on Wednesday.

"The mosquitoes that carry West Nile actually are more prevalent now than they were at the beginning of the summer and we are still having cases of West Nile reported to us," she added.

West Nile is a virus most commonly spread to people by mosquito bites. WNV cases have been reported in all of the continental United States.

According to the U.S. Centers for Decease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people infected with WNV do not have symptoms. About one in five people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms, but some infected people can develop a serious, sometimes fatal illness.

The CDC data show a total of 1,295 confirmed and probable WNV cases have been reported in the U.S. as of October 10, 2017, with 67 deaths. California has the highest number of 13 deaths.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)