Connecticut West Nile Virus Cases Double in 2012

This year, Connecticut reported 18 cases of West Nile Virus infections, the most cases ever reported in the state and double the number reported in 2011. The state attributes the increase to an abnormally warm winter followed by a record-breaking heat wave this summer. The number of reported cases has risen nationally as well. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cited 4,249 cases of the virus as of October 9th, the highest number of cases reported through the second week in October since 2003. Eight states account for 70% of these cases: Texas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Dakota, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Illinois.