West Nile Virus Kills Second Oklahoman This Year

The Oklahoma State Department of Health is reporting the second West Nile Virus death of 2015 in the state.

The department says the latest death was a Stephens County resident, following the death earlier this month of a Carter County resident.

A total of 21 cases of West Nile Virus have been confirmed in Oklahoma thus far in 2015. There were 18 confirmed cases of the virus last year with no deaths.

Both the greatest number of cases and deaths in Oklahoma due to the virus was in 2012 when there were 176 cases with 15 resulting in death.

The virus is spread primarily through the bite of the Culex mosquito -- which increases in numbers during mid to late summer when temperatures rise and the weather is dry.

8/29/2015 Related Story: First Human Case Of West Nile Virus Confirmed In Tulsa County