It's officially the worst year for West Nile virus in Virginia

RICHMOND, Virginia. It's the year of the mosquito in Virginia. A wetter than average summer (it rained up to 14 inches above normal until 2018) may have caused a slight rise in the number of mosquitoes that are buzzing in the city.

Certainly, Virginia broke the record for the highest number of reported human cases of West Nile virus – never reported by CBS 6.

Thirty-eight cases of West Nile virus have been reported throughout the state, according to doctors from the Virginia Department of Health. Two of 38 were located in central Virginia. The Fairfax area in northern Virginia has the highest number of cases – seven.

West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquito bites.

Although most people never experience symptoms, some will have headaches, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, rashes. Even less, about one in 150 infected people develop high fever, disorientation or confusion, vision loss, seizures or paralysis.

For some, West Nile can be deadly.

"These cases recall that mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus may be active until the end of October here in Virginia," said Dr. Norman Oliver, Commissioner for Health . "We advise the public to avoid mosquito bites until the first frost."

Easier to say than to do, right?

The ministry provided the following information on the best ways to keep mosquitoes away.

Use an insect repellent
When used according to instructions, insect repellents registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are safe and effective, even for children and pregnant or breastfeeding women. Use an insect repellent registered with the EPA containing any of the following active ingredients:

DEET
picaridin
IR3535
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil (OLE)
Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
2-undecanone

Cover
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

Keep mosquitoes out
Use air conditioning or intact mosquito nets for windows and doors. If you can not protect yourself from mosquitoes inside your house or hotel, sleep under a mosquito net.

Eliminate mosquito breeding habitats
Tip, throw and cover objects that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, swimming pools, bird baths, flowerpots or trash cans at least one times per week.