Arizona Tops U.S. in West Nile Cases With Maricopa’s Fifth Death

Heavy monsoon rain has increased standing water and boosted mosquito breeding, raising transmission risk in the state.

Overview

Health agencies reported by July 31 that Arizona accounted for about half of the 113 U.S. West Nile cases this year, with state tallies cited at 61–62 infections.
Maricopa County has driven the state’s surge with roughly 52 cases and the county reported its fifth death from the virus at the end of July.
Officials say monsoon-driven standing water has concentrated infected birds and mosquitoes, which increases the chance mosquitoes pick up and spread the virus to people.
State and county health teams have stepped up mosquito trapping, pooled testing and targeted larvicide or adulticide efforts while urging residents to use repellent, remove standing water and repair screens.
West Nile is usually seasonal from April through November, most infections cause no symptoms and about 1% result in severe brain or spinal cord disease, so public vigilance through the monsoon season will shape whether cases continue to rise.