Worst year ever for West Nile in Texas; 40 dead
(AP)—Health officials say it's the worst year ever for West Nile in Texas, which has seen nearly half the country's deaths from the virus this year.
Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner David Lakey says at least 40 people have died from the mosquito-borne virus there. The state has recorded at least 495 cases of neuroinvasive West Nile, the most serious form of the illness.
Federal officials say at least 87 people nationwide have died from West Nile this year.
Federal officials have said this year's number of cases in the U.S. may rival the record years of 2002 and 2003.
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