ARKANSAS, USA — West Nile virus cases are on the rise across the country as mosquito season begins, according to public health officials.

The Arkansas Department of Health is currently reporting fewer than five cases of the virus. However, Dr. Laura Rothfeldt, state veterinarian for the department, said that number likely underrepresents the actual number of infections.

“I do think there’s probably an underrepresentation in our case counts, either because the person wasn’t ill enough to seek medical treatment or they did, but there wasn’t a test result reported to us—and then they recover,” Rothfeldt said.

She noted that most people infected with West Nile virus do not experience symptoms. About 20% of those infected may develop mild, flu-like symptoms such as fever and body aches . S

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