West Nile Cases Up 40 Percent From Last Week

No cases have been found in Yakima County so far this year but federal health officials say that West Nile virus cases are up 40 percent since last week and are on pace to rival the record years of 2002 and 2003. The centers for disease control and prevention has confirmed 1,590 cases of the mosquito-borne disease and 66 deaths so far this year. half of the cases are in Texas.  Last month the West Nile virus found in mosquitoes near Mesa in Franklin County.  The first sign of the disease this year in Washington. Department spokesman Don Moyer tells KIT News the discovery of the disease was expected and even though the mosquitoes weren't found in Yakima County. There's no doubt it's here. Health officials think that cases have peaked or are peaking now, but likely will continue through October. The disease first appeared in the United States in 1999, and health officials say this summer's hot, dry weather may have contributed to the current boom in cases.