Horror paralyzing mosquito-borne sickness surges in US as World Cup marches on – full record
The US has been hit by a concerning number of cases of a mosquito-borne virus which has numerous worrying symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, joint pain, and fatigue
The number of cases of a Mosquito-borne illness is rising across the US(Image: Getty Images)
A Mosquito-borne illness which can lead to severe damage to the nervous system has rattled the US, hitting numerous states across the country.
The most recent data shows 56 confirmed cases of West Nile virus (WNV) across 15 US states, which the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says is the highest level for this time of year since 2004. Since 2004, the average has been 10 human cases of WNV by the end of June, whereas they stood at 48 by that time this year.
The American mosquito season usually lasts from June to October with WNV seeing its highest rates in August and September. Erin Staples, a CDC medical epidemiologist, said: “These findings serve as an important reminder that mosquito season is well underway.”
Currently 44 of the 56 cases are reported as being neuroinvasive, meaning they are affecting the patient’s nervous system. On average 2,000 people a year contract the disease in the USA, with 1,300 of them developing severe symptoms that affect the central nervous system.
More than 130 people die of WNV each year, with it being the biggest mosquito-born disease in the USA. It is thought many more people contract the disease without it being confirmed as they often will chalk milder symptoms up to something more common.
In fact, most people who contract the disease are asymptomatic. However those who do experience symptoms will likely develop flu-like symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, joint pain, and fatigue.
This comes during the World Cup across North America, which had health care professionals holding their breath due to the threat of diseases.
Worries about measles, COVID-19, and flu breakouts have been compounded by major stories about the Ebola outbreak in central Africa and a Hantavirus outbreak onboard a cruise ship earlier this year.
Cuts to the CDC under the Trump administration heightened the concerns about dealing with outbreaks. The CDC recommends using insect repellent, wearing long and loose fitting clothes, to avoid being outside at night, and to use screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitos out.
States with WNV cases confirmed:
- California
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Utah
- South Dakota
- Nebraska
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Arkansas
- Mississippi
- Tennessee
- Florida
- Illinois
- Pennsylvania
- Hawaii
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