August Ranks as Leading Month for West Nile Human Infections

West Nile virus is the most widespread mosquito-borne disease in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While most cases occur between July and October, August overwhelmingly is the leading month for reported cases.

As of Aug. 6, the CDC reported 103 West Nile disease cases have been logged in the U.S. More than half (68) of these cases in 2024 have led to neuroinvasive diseases, such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord). As of Aug. 7,  seven people have died this year from the disease, including two in Texas and one each in California and Oklahoma, USA Today reported.

West Nile is prevalent across the U.S., and this year, 26 states have reported cases. Texas, Nebraska, Nevada, and Louisiana are the states with the highest number of reported cases.

Still, this year’s numbers are preliminary and on par with how the U.S. tracked last year. In 2023, 182 people died of West Nile disease, and more than 2,500 became infected with the virus, the CDC reported.