At least 48 dead from West Nile in Texas

Published On: Sep 10 2012 09:09:13 PM CDT   Updated On: Sep 10 2012 09:09:29 PM CDT
West Nile - Generic
GAINESVILLE, Texas -

A third death from West Nile virus has been reported from a Texas Red River county.

Cooke County has reported the West Nile death of a 76-year-old man who lived in the southwestern part of Gainesville. Cooke County Emergency Manager Ray Fletcher tells KXII-TV (http://bit.ly/QfWevW) of Ardmore, Okla., and Sherman, Texas, that he was the first county resident to die of the mosquito-borne virus.

West Nile deaths also have been reported from two other Red River counties in Texas. One each has been confirmed in Montague (mahn-TAYG') and Lamar counties.

That brings the 2011 West Nile death toll statewide to at least 48. This is the worst year ever for West Nile in Texas, which has about half of the nation's deaths from the illness.

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