Weld County public health officials say a wet summer has lead to more of the mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus.
The highest concentration of the Culex mosquito, which transmits West Nile, was found in the Johnstown and Milliken area. This area is also where the first human case of West Nile in the county was reported this year.
"...now they're probably about five or six time higher than they were last year."
“We do have a lot of mosquitoes this year because of all of the rains and the floods. Typically the mosquitoes have been the flood plain mosquitoes,” said Eric Aakko, a spokesperson for the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment.
“But now, which is what we’re concerned about, is that all of our trap zones are showing very high counts for the Culex mosquito which is the main carrier for the West Nile virus, ” Aakko added.
Aakko said all of the county’s testing zones were abnormally high.
“For instance, last year there were very low counts of the Culex, and now they’re probably about five or six time higher than they were last year,” he said.
Aakko said an abundance of moisture over the summer, and the flooding last fall has led to the increase. According to the state department of public health, there have been seven human cases of West Nile as of August 1. Health officials recommend getting rid of all standing water around properties and wearing insect repellantwhen outside.
