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PHOENIX (3TV / CBS 5) – It was hot Wednesday, but thanks to our rainy winter and fresh spring, the mosquitoes are not over yet.
[MAP: West Nile-infected mosquitoes in Maricopa County]
And it seems that they carry more diseases this year, such as West Nile virus.
[WATCH: Record number of mosquitoes testing positive for diseases in Maricopa County]
"Some people will only have flu-like symptoms and may not even know they have West Nile virus or St. Louis encephalitis, but what we're really concerned about is people who contract the neuro-invasive, or meningitis or neurological and possibly even fatal problems, "said Steve Young, a vector laboratory technologist at the Department of Environmental Services of Maricopa County.
[RELATED: West Nile virus now is a permanent part of Arizona’s ecosystem, study finds]
Every day, Young and his team collect mosquitoes in traps around the valley and test them for diseases.
At present, a record number of mosquitoes are tested positive.
"Much higher, as much higher," said Young.
[RELATED: Study: West Nile virus appears to endemic in Maricopa County]
Already this year, they have found 220 mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus and 102 others of the encephalitis of St. Louis.
It's almost the same level as in 2018 and it's only in June.
"And if the trend continues until the monsoon, it's a pretty scary idea, so if we go as far as expected and it's not yet time for the monsoon, it's potentially a barrel of powder, "Young said.
The county's vector laboratory thinks we'll see the highest number of mosquitoes infected in the last 10 years.
"This indicates that there is probably a higher risk of exposure to the virus," Young said.
So far, in Maricopa County, two people have already been diagnosed with West Nile Virus.
In an attempt to combat it, the county has fogged the problem neighborhoods. And they say it's more important than ever to drain any stagnant water and wear protective clothing and insect repellent while you're outside.
"It only takes a mosquito bite and then you are exposed to the virus," Young said.
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