MONTGOMERY — 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.
Wire services.
