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Public health officials announced Friday that four other Arizona residents have died of complications from West Nile virus.
The Arizona Department of Health Services updated its data on West Nile virus cases on Friday, showing the new death toll for the summer and fall mosquito season has risen to 14 The ADHS has also increased the number of probable and confirmed West Nile virus cases in the state to 256.
Maricopa County is home to the majority of cases. ADHS data shows that 207 of the 256 confirmed and probable cases are from the most populous county in the state. Neighboring Pinal County has recorded 34 confirmed or probable cases.
ADHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the deceased.
The only year Arizona recorded more cases was in 2004, when the state had 391 cases.
The near-record summer monsoon season has resulted in a significant increase in the population of mosquitoes, the main transmitter of West Nile virus in the valley.
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most people infected with West Nile virus are asymptomatic. Those who die from the virus usually succumb to encephalitis, including meningoencephalitis. ADHS lists this as the clinical presentation in 117 out of 256 cases.
HonorHealth has confirmed it is seeing hospitalizations for West Nile virus, but declined to say how many.
“HonorHealth receives patients from West Nile at our facilities,” the hospital system in The Center Square said in a statement on Tuesday. “We recommend that members of our community use an EPA registered mosquito repellent and if it is not too hot, wear clothing that covers your body to protect yourself.”
HonorHealth also stressed the importance of removing standing water near the house, as mosquitoes lay eggs near water.
Banner Health clinical director Dr Marjorie Bessel responded to reporters’ questions on West Nile virus on Wednesday.
“Right now we really don’t have the same experience as some of the other health systems, where we are aware that they have increased cases of West Nile virus,” she said. “I would ask everyone to help us make sure we stay available, and other health systems that seem to be seeing a pretty big increase in this particular disease.”
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