Iowa's West Nile Cases About Average

The fee from video camera on it's trip through a storm drain is pictured in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012. Crews treated the manhole�s mosquito infestation three days ago with the larval inhibitor Altosid XR, and returned today to check for mosquitos.�No evidence of mosquitos was found. According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the number of new West Nile virus cases in Oklahoma has increased by four since last week and no additional deaths have been recorded. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

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By Kara Kelly

Story Created: Aug 23, 2012 at 12:28 PM CDT

Story Updated: Aug 23, 2012 at 12:28 PM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Iowa has been relatively immune to a national spike in cases West Nile Virus.

The Centers for Disease Control reported 1,118 cases of West Nile nationwide with 41 deaths, most within the last month. Texas is the epicenter of the outbreak, with 537 cases and 19 deaths. Texas health officials say a hot and wet summer has been good for mosquitoes, which transmit the disease. The state is now actively spraying to control mosquitoes and contain the virus.

Iowa has reported only 3 cases of West Nile this year and no deaths, which is on par with the past few years. Since an outbreak of 30 cases in 2007, Iowa has averaged about 7 cases a year. The West Nile season in Iowa typically starts in August and peaks in September.

The dry summer has helped control Iowa's mosquito population, as the insects breed in pools of water.

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