According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been more cases of the West Nile virus in 2012 than any year, making it the worst West Nile virus outbreak since the disease was first detected in the United States in 1999.
Nearly 700 cases of the virus have been reported across the country as of Aug. 14, including 26 deaths. Many of the cases are in Texas.
One Minnesotan has died of West Nile virus this year, state health officials said on Monday, and 20 cases have been confirmed in Minnesota. In addition, officials have detected the virus in 10 apparently healthy blood donors, some as recently as last week. All blood donations are screened for the virus.
More information is available at www.startribune.com/a1643 and at Medical News Today.
