West Nile Virus is caused by coming in contact with an infected mosquito. According to the CDC, once infected, the victim may see symptoms within 2 to 15 days of being infected. Symptoms include fever, headaches, tiredness and body aches. (CDC) This year we have seen the highest prevalence in the United States. The CDC has reported 1,590 cases just in this year alone. According to Dr. David J. Dausey, who is a chair of the public health department at Mercyhurst University claims the increase of cases as a result of an increase of moisture from an early spring as well as temperature. Mosquitoes thrive in hot and moist conditions. Where there is standing water, mosquitoes will be there also. The outbreak of West Nile is concentrated in the southern states as well as a few up north but Texas may be the worse. According to Dr. David L. Lakey, who is the commissioner of the Department of State Health Services in Texas says that Texas has seen 783 cases this year in which 95% needed hospitalization. The last epidemic occurred in 2003 but it doesn't come as close to the outbreak this year. I would like to ask those people who do not believe in global warming what the reasoning for this increase is. All signs point to climate change. Below is a picture from the CDC which shows West Nile activity as of August 28, 2012.
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