By Alabama Public Radio
Atlanta, GA – The Centers for Disease Control is reporting the number of West Nile virus cases went up more than 16 percent this year. And, there was a considerable increase along the Gulf Coast. The number of human cases in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas increased about 24 percent from last year. Health workers have been worried the standing water left by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita would allow mosquito populations to explode. That, in turn, would help the virus proliferate.