Aimee Walker
A mosquito disease, known as the ‘West Nile virus,’ has killed at least 19 people in the US this year.
The infection is spread from infected insects and can cause paralysis, meningitis, or death in extreme cases.
Almost every state in America has reported cases of the disease and there have been deaths all across the country in ‘one of the worst mosquito seasons’ ever seen.
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New York Senator Chuck Schumer told FOX5: “This is actually one of the worst mosquito seasons that we have had in recent memory.
“Even more concerning, these mosquitoes can spread the deadly West Nile virus.”
The disease claimed the life of 86-year-old Donald Streets from Maricopa County in Arizona.
His son Ramin believes that his father was bitten at home a few weeks ago, as he had told him to go outside on August 31 because it was a ‘beautiful day.’
He spoke to ABC15, saying: “This was a two-week crash and it was a surprise. The family is in shock, I’m in shock.”
Three other people have already died in Maricopa County this year and officials say there is still a risk of getting the disease in October.
The first death from West Nile has also been confirmed in Los Angeles after a patient died from a brain infection related to the virus.
In total, 43 states in the US have reported cases in humans or animals and there have also been deaths in Colorado, Texas, Utah, Arkansas, New Jersey, Idaho, and South Dakota.
Severe complications and death caused by the disease are extremely rare, and the NHS website says it will usually go away without treatment.
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