Just yesterday, the first death due to infection with the West Nile virus occurred in Arizona. In just a day, the reports of West Nile infections have multiplied due to the raised awareness about the dangers of this potentially deadly disease spread by mosquitoes.

People started reporting in dead birds and animals all over the country, some of which have already tested positive for the West Nile virus. Also, many more human infections were reported in the last 24 hours, probably because people tend to be less negligent about their health. Last year, around 120 people died of the virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

The Arizona Department of Health Services reported Thursday that a woman died of the mosquito-borne illness. She was a senior citizen over 80 and lived around Phoenix.

The season normally begins in April and lasts until September, but due to warm weather this year, the first cases of the West Nile virus have been reported as early as March 19.

The areas that favor mosquito population growth are standing waters, including swimming pools left abandoned. One way of counteracting the rapid spread of these mosquitoes is by inserting mosquito-fish populations into the water (which feed on mosquito larva).

West Nile virus was first spotted in New York in 1999 and has since spread westward, ultimately appearing in every state. Last year, the U.S. confronted with no less than 2,630 human cases.

The infection starts with one bite from an infected mosquito; for some people this could show no symptoms, while for others could manifest through fever, headache, chills, weakness and drowsiness. The most severe cases lead to meningitis or encephalitis, including low levels of consciousness and fatigue.