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Dead mosquitoes are lined up waiting to be sorted at the Dallas County mosquito lab in Dallas

Dead mosquitoes are lined up waiting to be sorted at the Dallas County mosquito lab in Dallas, Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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CDC: West Nile cases rise 40 percent in 1 week

66 deaths so far this year

Updated: Wednesday, 29 Aug 2012, 1:07 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 29 Aug 2012, 1:07 PM EDT

(AP) - Federal health officials say that West Nile virus cases are up 40 percent since last week and are on pace to rival the record years of 2002 and 2003.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 1,590 cases of the mosquito-borne disease and 66 deaths so far this year. Half of the cases are in Texas.

Health officials think that cases have peaked or are peaking now, but likely will continue through October. The disease first appeared in the United States in 1999, and health officials say this summer's hot, dry weather may have contributed to the current boom in cases.

The CDC also says it does not expect Hurricane Isaac to have much of an impact on cases in Southern states.

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