Officials say West Nile outbreak could be worst ever in U.S.

The Centers for Disease Control reports 1,118 cases of West Nile virus and 41 deaths attributed to the mosquito-spread disease.  Aerial spraying has commenced in hardest-hit Texas—528 cases and 25 deaths, but the CDC is still unsure about “where and how far” the disease will spread. Recommendations from the CDC website to reduce the risk of infection of West Nile include using insect repellant and draining sources of standing water outdoors to lower mosquito populations.