More than 100 Americans die from West Nile virus infection

The death toll from West Nile virus infection in the US increased sharply last week.

As of September 12, there were 2,636 cases of the disease and 118 deaths across the United States. This number increased by 35% compared to a week ago. According to medical experts, the number of victims is likely to continue to increase.

Mosquitoes are the culprits that spread the West Nile virus to humans (Photo: AFP)

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the majority of West Nile virus cases are in five states: Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Dakota and Oklahoma. Of these, Texas has the most cases.

West Nile Virus is a virus that causes deadly symptoms such as encephalitis and spinal cord inflammation. It lives on birds, horses, and mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are the culprits that spread this disease to humans.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the outbreak was caused by hot summer weather, which causes disease-carrying mosquitoes to thrive. The center also advised people to be careful to avoid mosquito bites by using mosquito repellent and cleaning up areas of stagnant water.

West Nile virus is common in temperate and tropical regions and was first identified in Uganda in 1937, an East African country in the West Nile sub-region. The virus first appeared in the United States in 1999./.

According to VOV - DT