Number of mosquitoes carrying West Nile ears in the N.J. These are the lowest performing counties.

Last month, experts predicted that mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile would continue to increase. And they were right.

About three weeks ago, a total of 452 mosquito pools – a collection of mosquitoes trapped all over the state – were tested positive for the virus in the 21 counties.

According to the latest surveillance report from the New Jersey Department of Health, on September 1, the number of positive mosquito groups increased to 767, an increase of 40% from the total recorded at the same time last year.

A few weeks ago, there were only three people listed as having contracted West Nile in the state. But that number has gone up to nine this week – the most recent being a man from Cape May County.

Here is an overview of where the state's people contracted West Nile virus:

• Bergen: 2
• Cape May: 1
• Essex: 1
• Hudson: 1
• Hunterdon: 2
• Ocean: 1
• Somerset: 1

According to the State Department of Health, West Nile virus activity has increased this year compared to last year in 15 counties.

And with continued activity in West Nile throughout the state, here is an up-to-date breakdown of the situation in the 21 counties of New Jersey and the highest concentration of mosquitoes for West Nile virus:

• Positive pools in 2018: 5
• Positive pools in 2017: 7
• Positive pools in 2016: 1