Re: Texas: 2012 West Nile cases- 40 deaths to date
Re: Texas: 2012 West Nile cases- 40 deaths to date
Published Date: 2012-09-05 21:06:05
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> West Nile virus - USA (12): (TX, OK)
Archive Number: 20120905.1282592
WEST NILE VIRUS - USA (12): (TEXAS, OKLAHOMA)
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In this report:
[1] Texas
[2] Oklahoma
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[1] Texas
Date: Tue 4 Sep 2012
Source: Statesman [edited]
http://www.statesman.com/news/local/austin-man-dies-from-west-nile-virus-numbers-2450727.html
West Nile virus illnesses in Texas continue to rise dramatically, state health officials said Tuesday [4 Sep 2012], with the number of cases this summer rising to 1013 -- with 40 deaths -- as an Austin man became the 2nd in Travis County to die from the mosquito-borne disease [virus].
A little less than 2 weeks ago, there were 640 cases and 23 confirmed deaths statewide. That is a 58 percent increase in cases and 74 percent increase in deaths. State officials warned that the infections may continue until the 1st hard freeze of the year.
"The peak for West Nile season is August, and then there is a delay before it gets reported to us. We are expecting the numbers to keep increasing," said Christine Mann, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of State Health Services. The agency's count does not include the new Travis County death, which had not yet been reported to the state. As of Tuesday [4 Sep 2012], there have been 48 confirmed cases of West Nile in Travis county, up from 23 cases and one death on 22 Aug [2012].
Health authorities have said that this year [2012] is the worst since West Nile 1st appeared in the U.S. in 1999 and in Texas in 2002. Health officials attribute the spread of the disease to a mild winter followed by late spring rains and a hot summer. A total of 1590 cases of West Nile, including 65 deaths, have been reported nationwide. The 1st death of a Travis County resident was reported on 1 Aug [2012]. Williamson County has had 11 cases and one death, Hays [county] 4 cases and no deaths, and Bastrop County 2 cases and no deaths.
Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Director Carlos Rivera on Tuesday [4 Sep 2012] confirmed the county's 2nd death from West Nile neuro-invasive disease, the more serious form of the virus. Officials did not release the victim's name, saying only that the person was among those at the highest risk of severe illness: older than 50.
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[2] Oklahoma
Date: Tue 4 Sep 2012
Source: OK News [edited]
http://www.promedmail.org/direct.php?id=20120905.1282592