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West Nile virus is surging across the U.S. this summer, with infections running about 40% higher than normal, according to new reports.

The virus is most commonly spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito , although the disease cycle also includes infected birds. When mosquitoes feed on infected birds, they can pick up the virus and transmit it to humans.

There have been roughly 770 human cases in the U.S. as of early September, with nearly 500 classified as severe, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which tracks cases reported by state health departments.

KANSAS TRACKS 5 SERIOUS WEST NILE VIRUS CASES AS MOSQUITO SEASON PEAKS ACROSS THE STATE

That's about 4

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