In the last decade, health officials have fielded reports of 2,000 cases annually on average

West Nile virus season is off to its earliest and worst start since 2004

West Nile virus season is off to its earliest and worst start since 2004

A record number of West Nile virus cases have been recorded for this time of year, the CDC warned on Wednesday ahead of the upcoming holiday weekend.

The US has seen the highest number of cases by this point in the year since 2004

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the nation is seeing the earliest start to West Nile virus season in more than two decades.

In the last decade, health officials have fielded reports of 2,000 cases annually on average