(Atlanta, GA) It has been the worst year on record for the West Nile virus , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There has been a 25% increase in cases in the last week alone.
2,000 cases have been reported nationwide this year. 87 cases have been fatal.
The numbers are expected to rise in the coming weeks.
Six states make up 70-percent of the West Nile cases, including the state of Mississippi.
Texas is the hardest hit.
You can decrease your chances of getting the virus by eliminating standing water and other items in your yard that can be breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
The CDC also recommends wearing long sleeves and pants when spending time outdoors during dawn and dusk hours.