Human cases of West Nile Fever virus infection now appear in many states in the USA

Following the detection of the virus that causes West Nile Fever in mosquitoes in many localities across the USA, human cases of infection are now appearing in multiple sites.

• Texas: One case in Montgomery County and a suspected case in Houston; 1 death in Angelina County.
• California: a total of 7 cases so far in 2011 in the following places: Fresno county: 2 cases; Tulare County: 2 cases; Stanislaus County: 2 cases; Santa Barbara County: 1 case.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has now recorded a total of 27 cases scattered across 13 states.

Travellers to the US should be aware of the risk of exposure to West Nile Fever virus and take all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites.