The nation is in the midst of one of the largest outbreaks of the West Nile virus, now reported in 48 states with most of the cases in Texas.
There have been 29 human cases in Nebraska, including one death. Eight of those cases have involved the more serious form of the disease, affecting the patient's nervous system. There have been 10 human cases in Iowa with no deaths.
Health officials say this year’s outbreak is the worst since the virus was detected in 1999.
Scott County, Iowa health officials said Wednesday some caged chickens that serve as an early-warning detection system for mosquito-borne diseases have tested positive for West Nile.
Polly Carver-Kimm of the Iowa Department of Health says it's the prime time for human cases to occur. In 2011, there were nine human cases in Iowa and two deaths resulted from the disease.
