Alabama records 12 West Nile cases, 1 death

By Phillip Rawls

Associated Press

Published: Friday, Aug. 24 2012 12:35 p.m. MDT

In this Aug. 16, 2012 file photo, mosquitos are sorted at the Dallas County mosquito lab in Dallas. U.S. health officials say there's been an alarming increase in the number of West Nile cases. So far there have been more than 1,100 cases reported through the middle of August. That's three times as many as usually seen at this point in the year. About half the cases are in Texas. Most West Nile infections are reported in August and September.

LM Otero, Associated Press

Enlarge photo»

Summary

Alabama has recorded 12 cases of West Nile virus this summer, with one death so far.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama has recorded 12 cases of West Nile virus this summer, with one death so far.

State Health Officer Don Williamson said Friday that Alabama is ahead of where it was at the same time in 2008, when 18 cases were diagnosed. 2009 saw no cases, and 2010 had three.

Six of the cases this summer have been in Montgomery County, and that's where the fatality occurred with a man over 60 years old. Three cases were in Mobile County, and one each in Baldwin, Jefferson and Tuscaloosa counties.

Williamson attributed the high number in Montgomery County to doctors in the county historically being more aggressive about diagnosing the illness. He said the majority of the cases are never diagnosed because they result in mild symptoms.

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