Positive lab results for human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) have been reported in Texas and Mississippi so far this year, and the virus is probably on its way to Arkansas, health officials say.

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has not recorded any cases of WNV infection so far this year, but ADH officials say that it is only a matter of time.

 According to James Phillips, MD, Infectious Disease Branch Chief at ADH, it is not surprising to see illness from mosquitoes at this time of year. “We are concerned that people may have forgotten that WNV is a problem in Arkansas, but the fact is, we have had the greatest number of cases in the months of August and September over the last few years,” Phillips said.

“We want people to remember to take their mosquito repellent with them when they go outside this summer,” Phillips added.

In Arkansas for 2010 there were seven cases of WNV and one fatality recorded.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - The U.S.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV/AR RICE DEPOT)- Arkansas Rice Depot and Today's THV/MomsLikeMe.com and B98.5 have wrapped up our month long diaper drive.

Here are the numbers: 

Total number of diapers = 51,086

Total number of wipes = 248,776

Total dollars = $3,956 which will buy approximately 15,000 diapers

On the final day, 10,000 diapers were collected at the Conway Walmart on 65 North alone.  The store even donated $250 to buy more diapers. Kimberly Clark, which produces Huggies and is a big supporter of the Rice Depot donated 20,000 diapers.  The Gannett Foundation also pitched in $2,000 and THV viewers and employees donated more than 2,500 diapers. 

In total, our month long Diaper Drive, brought in 66,086 and 248,776 wipes, most of which were donated by Kimberly Clark.