The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports at least 48 confirmed West Nile virus cases, including 38 severe neurological illnesses, as seasonal activity surges earlier and more intensely than in two decades.The virus is present in 23 states, with Arizona’s Maricopa County reporting 32 cases and four deaths, and local mosquito control and hospital capacity are under pressure.Health officials urge use of repellents that contain
N,N‑diethyl‑m‑toluamide, repair of window screens, elimination of standing water, protective clothing and avoidance of dawn and dusk because the
Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito transmits the virus and many infections go undiagnosed.