Iowa is experiencing its worst West Nile virus outbreak in 15 years. State Deputy Epidemiologist Ann Garvey says 73 cases of the mosquito-borne virus have either been confirmed or are under investigation.
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West Nile activity in Iowa peaked in 2003, when six people died and nearly 150 were sickened.
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The three deaths in Iowa this year are the most from West Nile since 2003. Confirmed cases of West Nile are likely to increase in the coming weeks. Garvey suggests heavy rains this summer, combined with warm temperatures, have boosted the mosquito population in Iowa. The pests won’t stop biting until the first hard frost.
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