Earlier this week, health officials reported that there are now 1,590 cases of West Nile virus confirmed in humans across the United States, and 66 deaths -- the most (through late August) since the mosquito-borne disease was first identified in 1999, Reuters reported.

This year's unseasonably warm winter is at least partly to blame for this "alarming" jump in West Nile cases, according to the AP, since the lack of freezing temperatures meant mosquitoes could breed all winter.

So far, Texas is taking the brunt of it -- and it may only get worse. "It looks like it is going to be our worst year ever," Dr. David Lakey, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services told Reuters. "As I look at the data, I'm not convinced we have peaked."

While reading news accounts of West Nile-related deaths is frightening, West Nile symptoms aren't always severe. Most people with the virus never even know they have it, and about 20 percent experience headache, fever or muscle aches.

Still, with 43 states touched by the disease, it's hard to feel completely safe. The best line of defense is to avoid getting mosquito bites which, as we all know, can be easier said than done. Insect repellant can help, as can a number of other, more natural techniques, like wearing long sleeves and pants, staying inside during peak mosquito hours and burning citronella or other candles outside. Eliminating any standing water is also a smart move, to discourage mosquito breeding around your home. (For more natural ways to prevent mosquito bites, click here.)

In the meantime, it helps to be aware of where West Nile is at its worst. Click through the slideshow below for the latest total number of cases by state, as of August 28, the most recent data available from the CDC.

Note: Nevada, Alaska, Hawaii, Vermont, Washington state, Rhode Island, Maine and Delaware had no reported cases as of August 28. In the instance of a tie, the states are listed alphabetically. The states are presented in order from the least number of cases to the most.

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  • District Of Columbia

    The <em>Washington Examiner</em> reported earlier that there had been <a href="http://washingtonexaminer.com/d.c.-diagnoses-west-nile-virus-in-human/article/2505666#.UD-VdmjLytM" target="_hplink">one nonfatal case of West Nile confirmed in a human</a>. However, according to the most <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/surv&controlCaseCount12_detailed.htm" target="_hplink">recent CDC data</a>, there was one case and one death reported in the Capitol.

  • Montana

    In Montana, there has been one reported case of West Nile, two weeks after the virus was <a href="http://www.ktvq.com/news/first-montana-west-nile-virus-case-for-2012/" target="_hplink">first found in mosquito samples</a>, Q2 News reported.

  • New Hampshire

    There has been one case of West Nile virus in New Hampshire, the <a href="http://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/08/22/nh-confirms-1st-case-of-west-nile-virus-in-2-years/" target="_hplink">first for the state in two years</a>, the AP reported.

  • Oregon

    In Oregon, one case of West Nile virus has been reported to the CDC, although local news outlets are <a href="http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20120828/UPDATE/120828033/Two-people-Oregon-contract-West-Nile-virus?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CNews" target="_hplink">now reporting a second case</a>. These are the first reports of West Nile in the state <a href="http://www.registerguard.com/web/newslocalnews/28662521-41/mosquito-county-virus-oregon-nile.html.csp" target="_hplink">since 2009</a>, according to the <em>Register-Guard</em>.

  • Wisconsin

    In Wisconsin, one case of West Nile virus has been reported.

  • Utah

    Two cases of West Nile have been reported in Utah.

  • West Virginia

    In West Virginia, two cases of West Nile virus have been reported.

  • Wyoming

    Two cases of West Nile virus have been reported In Wyoming, the first of which was <a href="http://www.kgwn.tv/story/19324531/wyomings-first-2012-human-west-nile-virus-case-reported" target="_hplink">identified as an adult male from Crook County</a>, a local CBS affiliate reported.

  • Connecticut

    In Connecticut, three cases of West Nile virus have been reported, including <a href="http://newyork.newsday.com/news/region-state/west-nile-virus-greenwich-conn-man-falls-ill-officials-say-1.3934914" target="_hplink">one man between the ages of 70 and 79</a>, according to the AP.

  • Kentucky

    There have been three cases of West Nile virus reported in Kentucky. One woman went on to develop <a href="http://www.wkyt.com/news/headlines/Kentucky-woman-nearly-dies-from-west-nile-virus-168002576.html" target="_hplink">West Nile encephalitis</a>, which is a swelling of the brain, a doctor told WKYT.

  • Massachusetts

    In Massachusetts, three cases of West Nile virus have been reported to the CDC, although <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2012/08/29/west-nile-case-confirmed-mass/VeVSzOi1dGyJpAmpZfKzdK/story.html" target="_hplink">local officials are now reporting a fourth</a> and say there are likely six more that have not yet been confirmed, the AP reports.

  • North Carolina

    In North Carolina, three cases and one death have been reported to the CDC, however a local ABC affiliate is now reporting a <a href="http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=8790134" target="_hplink">second death and five "active" cases</a>.

  • Idaho

    In Idaho, there have been four cases of West Nile virus reported.

  • New Jersey

    Four cases of West Nile virus have been reported In New Jersey.

  • Iowa

    In Iowa, five cases of West Nile virus have been reported, about average for the state. This consistency with years past while the rest of the nation has seen an increase in cases is <a href="http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/drought-keeps-west-nile-in-check-in-iowa/article_55f2a9f3-56db-5981-b311-5f6b13652f41.html" target="_hplink">likely due to this year's "extreme drought,"</a> WCFCourier.com reported.

  • Tennessee

    Five cases have also been confirmed In Tennessee.

  • Virginia

    In Virginia, five cases and one death have been reported.

  • Missouri

    Six cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Missouri, as well as one death, the <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/west-nile-virus-fatality-reported-missouri-first-since-170300936.html" target="_hplink">first in the state since 2008</a>, according to Yahoo! News.

  • New Mexico

    Six cases of West Nile virus have been reported in New Mexico, although the <em>Detroit Free Press</em> is reporting the <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20120830/NEWS07/120830012/3-new-human-West-Nile-virus-cases-New-Mexico" target="_hplink">total may now be up to eight</a>.

  • South Carolina

    In South Carolina, eight cases have been reported to the CDC.

  • Indiana

    There have been 12 cases of West Nile virus reported in Indiana, as well as one death.

  • Maryland

    In Maryland, 12 cases and one death have been reported, but the state's health department <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/aug/30/maryland-reports-first-west-nile-virus-death/" target="_hplink">will not release any details</a>, according to the AP.

  • Pennsylvania

    In Pennsylvania, 12 cases of West Nile virus have been reported.

  • Alabama

    Thirteen cases and one death have been reported in Alabama. "[I felt] lethargic, disoriented. There was a period when I had trouble walking. My balance was off," 73-year-old Montgomery resident Jim Parker told WSFA about <a href="http://www.wsfa.com/story/19357370/alabama-west-nile-virus-victim-speaks-out" target="_hplink">his experience with the virus</a>.

  • New York

    In New York, 13 cases and one death have been reported. Parts of New York City will be <a href="http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/08/29/parts-of-upper-west-side-to-be-sprayed-for-west-nile-virus/" target="_hplink">sprayed to prevent more infections</a>, CBS New York reported.

  • Arizona

    In Arizona, 16 cases and one death have been reported.

  • North Dakota

    In North Dakota, 17 cases have been reported, although <a href="http://www.necn.com/08/29/12/ND-reports-19-cases-of-West-Nile-virus/landing_nation.html?&apID=a62cec9651704f60a05476adcb2c29a0" target="_hplink">local officials are now saying 19</a>, according to the AP.

  • Florida

    In Florida, 19 cases of West Nile virus have been reported.

  • Kansas

    In Kansas, 19 cases and one death have been reported.

  • Georgia

    In Georgia, 21 cases and three deaths have been reported, mainly in <a href="http://www.wtoc.com/story/19356194/west-nile-virus-moves-into-georgia" target="_hplink">urban areas like Savannah</a>, WTOC reported.

  • Illinois

    Twenty-one cases have also been reported in Illinois, as well as one death, however a local ABC affiliate says the total recently jumped to <a href="http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=8791404" target="_hplink">45 cases</a>.

  • Colorado

    In Colorado, 23 cases of West Nile virus have been reported.

  • Arkansas

    Twenty-five cases and two deaths have been reported in Arkansas.

  • Nebraska

    In Nebraska, 26 cases have been reported.

  • Minnesota

    In Minnesota, 35 cases have been reported, as well as one death, the <a href="http://www.swiftcountymonitor.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=20927" target="_hplink">first from the virus in the state since 2007</a>, according to the <em>Monitor-News</em>.

  • Ohio

    There have been 43 cases of West Nile reported in Ohio so far. A local ABC News affiliate is now reporting the <a href="http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/state/ohio-west-nile-death-odh-says-76-year-old-southwest-ohio-man-dies-from-west-nile-virus" target="_hplink">state's first death from the virus</a>, a 76-year-old Southwest Ohio man.

  • California

    In California, 44 cases and two deaths have been reported.

  • Michigan

    There have been 71 cases and three deaths from West Nile virus reported in Michigan, although the <em>Detroit Free Press</em> is now reporting 87 total cases and <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20120831/NEWS05/308310097/Deaths-at-5-as-West-Nile-surges-in-state" target="_hplink">five deaths</a>.

  • Louisiana

    In Louisiana, 73 cases have been reported, as well as six deaths.

  • Oklahoma

    Eighty cases have been reported in Oklahoma, as well as five deaths, however the AP is now reporting the <a href="http://newsok.com/9-new-west-nile-virus-cases-reported-in-oklahoma/article/3705481" target="_hplink">total number of cases in the state has reached 101</a>, nearing the record of 107 in 2007.

  • Mississippi

    In Mississippi, 98 cases and two deaths have been reported.

  • South Dakota

    In South Dakota, 98 cases and one death have been reported.

  • Texas

    At the center of the outbreak is Texas, where there have been a reported 733 cases and 30 deaths, according to the CDC. But the AP reports <a href="http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/texas/texas-west-nile-cases-double-in-2-weeks" target="_hplink">cases now total 894</a>, double the number two weeks prior. The Texas epidemic likely <a href="http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Texas-West-Nile-outbreak-not-yet-peaked-official-3825424.php" target="_hplink">hasn't reached its peak either</a>, state officials have said.

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