OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Oklahoma is moving closer to the record number of West Nile virus cases in one year with nine new cases confirmed.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported Thursday that there have been 101 confirmed cases this year of the potentially deadly virus in 22 counties statewide.

Five people have died as a result of the disease that is spread through the bite of the Culex mosquito - two in each Oklahoma and Carter counties and one in Seminole County.

The record of 107 West Nile cases was set in 2007 when eight people died as a result of the virus.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Terry Cline says the virus will remain a threat until the first freeze - usually in late October or early November.