HOUSTON - Five people have died from the West Nile virus in the US state of Arkansas this year, setting a new record for the number of West Nile-related fatalities in the state, local media reported Sunday.

In total, Arkasas has recorded 43 West Nile cases so far this year, tying the record for the highest number of cases in a single year, which was set in 2002 when the disease first hit Arkansas, local TV channel quoted statistics from the state health department as reporting.

The United States is experiencing the worst outbreak of West Nile virus. Some 134 people in the country have died from West Nile virus and more than 3,000 others have been sickened this year.

Scientists expect the death toll to increase until October as more cases are confirmed and the warm weather continues.

First identified in Uganda in 1937, West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne illness that leads to serious neurological disease in some cases. Its symptoms include sudden onset of fever, headache, nausea, dizziness and muscle weakness.