美国爆发西尼罗河病毒

New warnings to people in Texas today to protect themselves against the potentially deadly West Nile virus which is now infected hundreds in that state and far beyond. The battle against the mosquitoes that carry West Nile is now being waged from land and air. We get the latest tonight from NBC’s Janet Shamlian.

It’s the biggest outbreak of West Nile virus in eight years. The mosquitoes-born infection which can be fatal is now in 43 states. Derek Larson was infected in Minnesota.

I came home, took a nap. When I woke up, my head was, it’s the worst pain I ever felt.

Larson is among more than 700 people nationwide who’ve been sickened by the virus. 26 have died, that’s the highest number at this time of year since West Nile was detected in 1999.

This is the beginning in the season. The fact we’ve got so many cases this early and it’s so widespread, and really it’s not bode well for the future summer.

Dallas is the epicenter of the outbreak, a third of the nation’s cases are here, in just one county. Ten have died and hundreds are sick. An air assault was launched this week, but small planes spraying insecticide were grounded early by rain the past two nights, and canceled entirely for tonight amid some concern it’s unsafe.

This spraying is an incredible risk to West Nile carrying mosquitoes, but it is not an unreasonable risk to you and family.

The mild winter in wet spring have created a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes that transmit the virus during last year’s Texas drought there were two deaths statewide. This year, 21 have died. More than 550 are infected. They are going door to door in some areas, spreading the word hoping to stop the spread.

We are passing out brochures about the West Nile virus.

We want people to take action to protect themselves, protect their families, protect their neighbors, protect neighborhoods,protect the schools, protect everybody. This is gonna take a village to get through.

As hundreds of villages, cities and suburbs find themselves under siege. Janet Shamlian, NBC News, Houston.