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Record number of West Nile virus cases since 2004, CDC warns ahead of holiday weekend

A Culex mosquito, primary vectors for several viral and parasitic diseases inside a house in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, March 3, 2026. (Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

(NEW YORK) — A record number of West Nile virus cases have been recorded for this time of year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned on Wednesday ahead of the upcoming holiday weekend.

At least 48 cases of West Nile have been reported so far this year compared to an average of 10 typically by the end of June. This is the highest number of infections reported at this point in year since 2004, according to the federal health agency.

Additionally, at least 23 states are reporting West Nile activity, which is the highest number recorded over the last 10 years, CDC data shows.

The illness is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the contagious U.S., with several thousand cases and over 100 deaths reported on average each year.

With millions gathering outside for Fourth of July, the CDC is urging Americans to take precautions and reduce their risk of mosquito bites.

Since 1999, the disease has killed more than 3,300 Americans. Cases have historically peaked in August and are mostly reported from June through October.

While many people infected do not develop symptoms, about one in five do. Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea or rash, according to the CDC.  Most symptoms soon disappear, though weakness and fatigue may last for weeks or months.

Fewer than 1% of people infected develop severe illness that affects the central nervous system, including inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and the membranes around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis), the CDC says.

Risk of severe disease, hospitalization and death increase with older age; certain medical conditions including cancer, high blood pressure and kidney disease; and a weakened immune system.

There are currently no vaccines for West Nile virus, nor disease-specific treatments. The CDC recommends rest, fluids and over-the-counter medications to treat the infection. Those with severe illness may need to be hospitalized and receive additional support treatments, such as intravenous fluids.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Stag shot dead in Richmond Park after picnic attack, as officials warn against feeding deer

By CNN
(CNN) — A stag at one of London’s royal parks has been shot dead by a wildlife officer after injuring a man who was having a picnic, as park authorities warn against feeding the animals.The Royal Parks charity, which manages Richmond Park, where the incident took place over the weekend, warned that human behavior is endangering the lives of the deer who have resided there for centuries.The charity, which manages several parks and green spaces in London, including Hyde Park, Green Park and Regent’s Park, said the man was injured “after the stag approached his picnic group looking for food.” The man’s injuries weren’t life-changing or life-threatening, police said.“Sadly, the stag’s behaviour meant that it had to be put down as it was deemed to be a danger to visitors,” Royal Parks said in a statement on Instagram. “We suspect that this particular stag may have learnt to associate visitors with food. If visitors follow our advice and do not feed or interfere with the deer, it is highly unlikely that they will exhibit this type of behaviour.”A spokeswoman for the Royal Parks confirmed to CNN that the stag was shot dead by one of the charity’s wildlife officers.The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to the scene by the London Ambulance Service (LAS) just before 6:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m. ET) on Saturday.“Officers attended alongside LAS and found a man, aged in his 60s, with wounds to his chest,” the Met Police said in an email to CNN. “The man was taken to hospital where his injuries were assessed as non-life-changing or life-threatening.”‘Dangerous’ behaviorThe Royal Parks said it was “shocked and alarmed” to see images and videos of people feeding the deer in nearby Bushy Park, which the charity also manages, since the weekend.“This is highly dangerous behaviour,” the statement continued. “Deer in Bushy Park and Richmond Park are wild animals and should never be fed, approached or touched. Repeated feeding can cause deer to lose their natural wariness of people and seek out food from visitors, creating risks for both people and wildlife. Getting this close, and offering food, puts people at real risk of serious injury.”The history of Richmond Park’s wild red and fallow deer is a long one. Charles I brought his court to nearby Richmond Palace in 1625 to escape the plague in London. He transformed the landscape into a hunting park, introducing the animals in 1637.Visitors are explicitly warned with clearly marked signs not to feed the 630-strong herd and keep well away from the animals. The same applies to Bushy Park, which is home to 320 deer. The two parks cover 3,600 acres (5.6 square miles) between them.Visitors are advised to keep at least 50 meters (164 feet) away from the deer, never feed or touch them and if one approaches you to put food and packaging out of sight and move away slowly and calmly.Visitors have been asked to report anyone putting themselves or the animals at risk to police.The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
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