A St. Albans pool in Vermont has become the next location of the West Nile Virus.
Mosquitoes that were found in the pool on July 29th were tested for West Nile and found to be carriers of the disease. Last year, there were 28 pools in the US that were found to carry the disease. Vermont had one patient from Lamoille County who made a full recovery from the West Nile Virus.
Earlier this week, California confirmed two West Nile Virus cases in two different counties, one involving an elderly woman, the other involving a young adult.
While mosquitoes are often carriers of the West Nile Virus, alligators, reptiles, and even birds can carry the disease as well. The name of the disease itself comes from the West Nile in Africa, where the disease was first discovered and named before it spread worldwide. Citizens are warned to replace their broken window screens, and to wear mosquito repellent and long-sleeve clothes when venturing outdoors. Citizens should also be cautious of what time of day they venture outside and be sure to spray for mosquitoes inside as well.
In 2013, it was estimated that nearly 2,500 people in 47 states contracted West Nile Virus in the US, along with 119 deaths from the disease. This year, there have been 55 cases so far from 16 states, with 3 deaths reported. These numbers show that the US has come a long way in its fight against West Nile Virus since 2003, in which there were 9,862 cases and 284 deaths reported due to the West Nile Virus.
