Mosquito-borne diseases are on the rise in New York

The New York State Department of Health annually monitors the mosquito population between June and October. In 2018, they reported that 1,496 mosquito pools tested positive for West Nile virus. There were 87 confirmed human cases and 20 equine cases.

In 2017, the DOH reported that 1215 positive pools had been reported with 51 human cases and 20 equine cases. DOH says counties usually collect mosquito samples and the state will test them.

"Based on these results, counties will usually choose to take action, whether it is educational or not, trying to control mosquitoes or not. The state has much more than Mr. Bryon Backenson, deputy director of the Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, said Bryon Backenson, director general of the Bureau of Communicable Disease Control.

Reports suggest that mosquito-borne diseases are on the rise and experts believe this trend will continue.

While West Nile does not usually show up until July or August, the Ministry of Health says people can do something now to help reduce the mosquito population.

"Mosquitoes need to reproduce in the water, so they will lay their eggs on water and immature mosquitoes – before becoming adults, live in the water.The best thing to do is to remove these sources water in your property, "said Backenson.

Backenson also recommends using an insect repellent containing DEET.