A deadly brain-swelling illness spread by mosquitoes is on the rise in the US

NewsWorldAmericasA deadly brain-swelling illness spread by mosquitoes is on the rise in the USMosquitoes typically like wet and warmer weather. But scientists say drought is actually fueling the rise of West Nile virusJulia Musto in New York Tuesday 18 August 2026 15:47 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":true,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"b3034893","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/west-nile-virus-mosquito-cases-deaths-us-b3034893.html","title":"A deadly brain-swelling illness spread by mosquitoes is on the rise in the US"}}CloseFulton County mosquitoes test positive for West Nile VirusThe latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekdayYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USEmail*SIGN UPI would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice{"className":"sc-1ge0fwe-0","newsletterData":{"pianoFieldName":"receiveEveningHeadlinesUSNews","regTitle":"Evening Headlines","subscriptionGroup":"us_evening_headlines","subscriptionGroupId":"4326e634-422a-4447-8e1e-604a937cd3b5","type":"daily_news","pathPrefix":["/us","/news/world/americas","/news/world/americas/crime"],"title":"The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday","mobileTitle":"Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US","imageSrc":"https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/images/newsletters/usEveningHeadlines1_1.png","label":"I would like to receive morning headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts by email","newsletterKey":"receiveEveningHeadlines","regSourceSection":"Americas","regSourceNewsletter":"NSC"},"isClimate":false}Cases of...