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 , which transmits , 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."
鈥淲e 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,鈥� said Eric Aakko, a spokesperson for the
鈥淏ut now, which is what we鈥檙e concerned about, is that all of our are showing very high counts for the Culex mosquito which is the main carrier for the West Nile virus, 鈥� Aakko added.
Aakko said all of the county鈥檚 testing zones were abnormally high.
鈥淔or instance, last year there were very low counts of the Culex, and now they鈥檙e probably about five or six time higher than they were last year,鈥� he said.
Aakko said an , 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 when outside.
