Maricopa County drives nation-leading West Nile virus outbreak with 47 cases, 5 deaths

At least 5 people have died and 61 have been infected with West Nile virus in Arizona this year, according to CDC data. That is more cases than any other state in the country.

Federal officials call this the worst early-season surge in more than 20 years.

Maricopa County accounts for the vast majority of infections, with 47 cases and the state’s 5 deaths through the week of July 24, according to the county’s mosquito-borne diseases page.

At the same point last year, the county had reported 24 cases and 2 deaths.

“In my professional career, I think we are seeing more,” Dr. Leo Odle, a primary care physician with Optum Arizona, told KTAR News 92.3 FM. “I’m seeing more of it out here in Gilbert.”

Beyond the Phoenix metro area, Pima County has reported 11 cases. Coconino and Pinal counties have each reported 1 case, according to CDC data.

Arizona’s statewide total is roughly 5 times that of Texas, the state with the next-highest count at 12 cases.

Nationally, the average number of cases reported by the end of June since 2004 had been about 10. This year it reached 48 before July.

Health officials warn that peak transmission season, typically August and September, has not yet arrived.

“You do need to seek medical care if you get sick,” Odle offered. “Don’t think we can’t do anything, because we can.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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