VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – There has been a rise in West Nile Virus activity in some parts of the city, according to the Virginia Beach Mosquito Control.

Tests were conducted throughout the city since June, with officials confirming some of the collected mosquitoes have tested positive for WNV.

The positive results were recorded in these three areas:

Oxford Drive in the Kings Grant neighborhood

North Witchduck Road in the Kempsville area

Constitution Drive in the Pembroke area

The samples were collected on June 25 – epi-week 26, and these areas have historically had WNV positives, Jennifer Barritt, biologist with VB Mosquito Control, said in a press release.

The primary vector of WNV in this region is Cx. pipiens / restuans, which breeds in water with a higher organic content. This means VB Mosquito Control will focus on stagnant water, such as ditches and other standing water areas. Night-time spraying efforts are being increased as well.

• Wear long, loose and light colored clothing
• Use insect repellent products registered with the EPA. No more than 50 percent DEET for adults, and less than 30 percent DEET for children. Follow all label instructions
• Turn over or remove containers in your yard where rainwater collects
•  Clean birdbaths and wading pools weekly
•  Check window and door screens so mosquitoes cannot enter home

PUNGO, Va. - Flood waters have been a problem for many people across Hampton Roads, and now some are dealing with an increase in mosquitoes.

“You come in and you’re all bit up. It’s just been terrible,” said Pungo resident Kathleen Denton. “They’re horrible. I step outside and there’s like 20 or 30 of them on my arm.”

Denton said she has lived in Pungo since 1989.

She said in recent days the mosquitoes have been overwhelming.  Experts say the mosquitoes will likely increase and continue to be a nuisance after warm temperatures follow the heavy rainfall we've seen across our region.

Virginia Beach Mosquito Control Biologist Jennifer Barritt said there are several things people can do to protect themselves.

She suggests emptying standing water on your property, wearing long sleeves and pants and using insect repellent.

She said the city works to treat and spray mosquitoes but said the rain is making it difficult.

“We are aware that there are problems and we’re trying to get out there and help after all the water that we’ve had,” said Barritt.

Denton said she is frustrated and just wants the rain to stop.

“It will dry out someday,” she said.

Below is information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

The most effective way to avoid getting sick from viruses spread by mosquitoes when at home and during travel is to prevent mosquito bites.

Mosquito bites can be more than just annoying and itchy. They can spread viruses that make you sick or, in rare cases, cause death. Although most kinds of mosquitoes are just nuisance mosquitoes, some kinds of mosquitoes in the United States and around the world spread viruses that can cause disease.

Mosquitoes bite during the day and night, live indoors and outdoors and search for warm places as temperatures begin to drop. Some will hibernate in enclosed spaces, like garages, sheds and under (or inside) homes to survive cold temperatures. Except for the southernmost states in North America, mosquito season starts in the summer and continues into fall.

Examples of viruses spread by mosquitoes:

• Chikungunya
• Dengue
• Eastern equine encephalitis
• Japanese encephalitis
• La Crosse encephalitis
• Louis encephalitis
• West Nile
• Yellow fever
• Zika

When used as directed, insect repellents are the best way to protect yourself and family members from getting sick from mosquito bites.

Prevention

• Use insect repellent: When used as directed, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Use an EPA-registered insect repellent with one of the following active ingredients:
  • DEET
  • Picaridin
  • IR3535
  • Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
  • Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
  • 2-undecanone
• Cover up: Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Keep mosquitoes outside: Use air conditioning, or window and door screens. If you are not able to protect yourself from mosquitoes inside your home or hotel, sleep under a mosquito bed net.

For more information, see the Mosquito Bite Prevention fact sheet.

CURRITUCK CO., N.C. – The Currituck County Government is keeping its eyes on the mosquito population throughout the county with the help of two separate organizations, according to a Facebook post made Thursday.

The Albemarle Regional Health Services (ARHS) and Vector Disease Control have been monitoring separate mosquito traps in the county. Both agencies have found low numbers of mosquitoes in the traps and do not recommend spraying for mosquitoes at this time.

However, ARHS is offering mosquito briquettes, which are placed in standing water and release a compound that kills mosquito larvae, for citizens to pick up at the Currituck Health Department. According to ARHS, the briquettes are not only more effective than spraying, they are safer for use around pets and harmless to the environment.

Anyone interested in picking up a briquette can visit the Health Department at 2795 Caratoke Highway, Currituck, NC 27929.

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. – Mosquito testing confirmed the presence of West Nile Virus in a specimen that was collected Monday, the base announced.

Health officials have been notified, and the base is actively taking steps to prevent infection.

Base officials say there are no known or suspected cases of the virus in humans or animals.

“Here at Langley, we aggressively sample the mosquito population and test the results in order to be ready to take immediate action in case this situation arises,” said U.S. Army Colonel Edward Vedder, 633rd Air Base Wing Vice Commander.

Langley has an active mosquito prevention program and most recently conducted aerial mosquito spraying on July 31. The 757th Airlift Squadron from Youngstown Ohio Air Reserve Base will return for another aerial spray application on August 28, officials said.

The base may conduct ground spraying operations based on the recommendation of public health officials. If the decision is made to do so, information on the date, time and location will be distributed via the JBLE.af.mil website and the 633rd ABW social media platforms.

Base officials recommend residents use insect repellent, protect young children and wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to prevent mosquito bites.

If you are bitten by a mosquito and develop symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, fever or rash, you are advised to seek medical treatment.

“At this time, we have only found infected mosquitoes in a small area on base far away from family housing, play areas and work places,” said Vedder. “However, we take any threat seriously that could disrupt the missions taking place continuously here at Langley. I ask for folks to use precautions, listen for further guidance on this issue and review the CDC information on West Nile. If any resident suspects that they are infected, do not hesitate to get to a treatment facility.”

For more information, contact 633rd ABW Public Affairs at 764-5701 or email 633ABW.PA.Media@us.af.mil.

More information on West Nile Virus prevention and symptoms are available on the CDC website.

CHESAPEAKE, Va. – A horse in Chesapeake that was recently diagnosed with Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) has died, according to the Chesapeake Health Department.

The agency says August and September are the most active months for cases of mosquito-borne diseases, including EEE and West Nile virus (WNV).

“School may signal the beginning of fall for many people, but NOT for mosquitoes. This is the time of year residents should be most cautious about eliminating mosquito breeding sites and avoiding excessive mosquito bites,” said Dr. Nancy Welch, director, Chesapeake Health Department. “Mosquito control districts all over Hampton Roads are detecting higher than normal WNV activity in mosquitoes this season.”

People at the highest risk for serious mosquito-borne diseases are young children, adults age 50 and older and those who have diseases such as cancer or diabetes, which can suppress a person’s immune system.

The Virginia Department of Health also reported Tuesday that 12 people have tested positive for West Nile virus in the state this year.

Experts say anyone experiencing symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, a stiff neck, confusion and lethargy should seek medical attention right away.

The department says the Chesapeake Mosquito Control Commission has been actively working to reduce mosquito populations to lower the risk of mosquito-borne diseases to humans and animals. Dreda A. Symonds, director of the commission, says most of the agency’s service requests are in responds to “very fast developing and aggressive mosquito species.” Although they are the biggest nuisance and the CMCC is spraying in high numbers, Symonds says they do not pose a disease risk.

Symonds says WNV mosquitoes are most active an hour after sunset and are most common in the city’s suburban areas.

Horse owners in areas that have tested positive for the disease have been notified, and they have also been strongly encouraged to vaccinate their animals.

Officials say the best prevention for these diseases is to avoid mosquito bites. The following tips can help you reduce the risk of being bitten:

• Use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient. Follow directions on the label.
• Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at these times or consider staying indoors during these hours.
• Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
• Eliminate mosquito-breeding areas in your yard where rainwater collects. Turn over or empty bird baths, flower pots, buckets, or barrels. Clean roof gutters and downspout screens. Remove old tires from your yard. Eliminate standing water on flat roofs, boats or tarps. Keep children’s wading pools empty and on their sides when not in use.

For more information on how to prevent mosquito bites, click here and here.

To report a mosquito problem in the City of Chesapeake, click here.

NORTH CAROLINA – In the wake of Hurricane Florence, North Carolina has become home to some very large mosquitoes being described as “aggressive, monstrous pests with stripes on their legs” by USA Today.

North Carolina State University entomologist Michael Waldvogel told USA Today the large pests are called “Gallinippers” or “Psorophora ciliata.”

They can be three times as large as average mosquitoes. The floodwaters after Hurricane Florence can cause dormant eggs to hatch, spiking their population into the billions.

North Carolina resident Cassie Vadovsky posted a video to Facebook showing a swarm of the blood-thirsty insects outside her car at her home.

She captioned the video: “This, this is what I’m dealing with  #nc#afterflorence#helpme#mosquitoplague#prayfornc.”

Vadovsky’s video has been viewed more than 260,000 times.

Experts told USA Today they expect the current plague of mosquitoes to die down in the coming weeks as the weather gets colder.

HAMPTON, Va. -  It's that time of the year you may want to grab the swatter.

“The mosquitoes are out. I can be out here talking to you and I’ll feel them biting."

Barbara Bowser lives the Shell Road neighborhood. She got bit four times yesterday, and summer’s not even here yet.

The City of Hampton's environmental services department says it’s only going to get worse with more rain and hotter temperatures.

“They can be vectors for diseases, and we are trying to reduce the mosquito population by as much as possible and this simple technique can reduce them in our area," says Michael Bowry, a biologist with the city's environmental services department.

The simple technique is to "Tip 'N Toss."

“It’s just as easy as it sounds. You would tip the water you see in containers and buckets, children's toys, bird baths - you would just tip it over and toss the debris," said Bowry.

He says the kind of mosquitoes they are seeing in neighborhoods are called Asian Tiger mosquitoes. They breed in containers outside your home, drains, gutters, water hoses and pipes.

The best way they say you can keep yourself protect is starting with repellent.

Related: Check yourself, your children and your pets early and often for ticks 

“If you’re allergic, there’s picaridin, eucalyptus oil and other options you can have," said Bowry.

Bowser says if she sees standing water in her community, she's taking action.

“I would knock on their doors and advise them to empty any standing water.”

The city plans to do a big neighborhood spray this summer. If you need assistance with spraying your home, click here.

NORFOLK, Va. - For some folks, it's been an itchy summer - and things will only get worse this week.

As you're trying to stay away from the heat and humidity, mosquitoes are thriving.

Associate Professor of Biology at Old Dominion University Dr. Deborah Waller said, "they like warm and wet [conditions] and lots of opportunities to lay their eggs, and it's perfect right now."

By Saturday, temperatures are going to reach near 100 degrees, but it's going to feel much hotter.

When it comes to mosquitoes, Dr. Waller said different species enjoy different times of the day, so you can technically be bitten at any hour.

"When a mosquito bites you, then she’s ready to mature her eggs and lay her eggs, so it’s very important for baby mosquitoes to have a blood meal," Waller said.

People tend to be most affected by the mosquitoes that come out during the evening hours.

According to Waller, the insects follow odor, carbon dioxide and warmth. You can also find them resting in tall grass, brush and weeds. Mosquitoes tend to breed in fresh standing water, so think tin cans or buckets of water left in a backyard.

Related: The mosquitoes are out and buzzing, and the City of Hampton wants you to 'Tip 'N Toss'

Many people in Hampton Roads said this week they've already seen an increase in the female insects.

Alec Emanuel said he has a patio area in his backyard and a pool of water has formed nearby, bringing a lot of mosquitoes to the home.

"It's very annoying when you're outside and trying to enjoy the beautiful weather," he said.

To keep the bugs at bay, many people use sprays and repellents. Before doing that, it may be a good idea to check the ingredients to make sure your skin isn't ingesting any harmful chemicals.

If you are bitten by a mosquito and begin having an unpopular reaction, you will want to check with your doctor.

"If you are allergic to [mosquitoes] or sensitive to them in any way, it's going to be a rough couple of days," Waller said.

YORK Co., Va. – Samples collected from a mosquito pool in Lower York County have tested positive for West Nile Virus, county officials announced Friday.

The York County Mosquito Control Division routinely samples mosquitoes collected throughout the county and tests for common mosquito-borne illnesses. Mosquito Control also conducts a comprehensive larvacide and spray program during the season mosquitoes are most active, which is from late spring to early fall.

At this time, officials are not aware of any reported cases of West Nile Virus in humans or animals in the county.

The county plans to continue testing and spraying efforts. Mosquito Control recommends the use of insect repellent and long sleeves/pants to cover exposed skin.

Related: Higher heat and humidity create ideal conditions for mosquitoes 

Ground spraying is scheduled for the following areas on Saturday, August 10 between 1-4 a.m.:

• Coventry Drive
• Byrd Lane
• Cain Terrace
• Churchill Estates
• Commonwealth Green
• Coventry
• Davis Forge
• Faison Green
• Ferguson Glade
• Finch Terrace
• Gables of York
• Hawks Landing
• Justinian Grove
• Lilburne Meadow
• Patriot Village
• Presson Arbor
• Shady Banks
• Shady Banks Farm
• Sherwood Forest
• Smithy Glen
• Tabb Lakes
• The Greenlands
• Villas On Shady Banks
• Whispering Winds
• York Manor
• York Meadows
• Yorkshire Downs

For more information about West Nile Virus, please visit the Virginia Department of Health’s website or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s website. If there are concerns about symptoms in someone who has recently experienced a mosquito bite, please contact a medical provider.

SUFFOLK, Va. – The City of Suffolk announced Friday that it has detected West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis in mosquitoes collected from a handful of local areas and neighborhoods.

The mosquitoes were found in the following areas:

West Nile Virus

• Bennett’s Harbor
• Lakeside
• North Street
• Philadelphia
• Pleasant Hill
• Suburban Woods
• West Jericho

Eastern Equine Encephalitis

• Clay Hill Area
• Lake Kennedy
• Lamb Avenue Area
• Suburban Woods

Citizens should be aware that there is increased WNV and EEE activity in these areas and are advised to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves while engaging in outdoor activities.

WNV infected individuals can show no symptoms, mild symptoms, or severe symptoms.  Medical statistics say 80% of people (about 4 out of 5) who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all. Up to 20% of the people who exhibit mild symptoms of WNV have flu-like symptoms and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back.

In the most severe cases (1 of 150) of WNV, people will develop severe illness, which can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.

EEE is a very rare human disease that affects 5 to 10 humans annually in the United States. EEE infection in humans begins with mild flu-like symptoms, progresses into disorientation, seizures, coma, encephalitis (an inflammation of the brain) and in the most severe cases, people die. Many who survive are reported to have mild to severe brain damage.

No human cases of EEE have ever been reported in Suffolk, officials say.

Horses are commonly found with EEE the city. Mosquito Control urges horse owners to vaccinate their horses for EEE and any other insect-transmitted diseases that could affect their animals.  Properly-timed and administrated vaccinations by a licensed veterinarian can mean a healthy horse during the mosquito season.

Mosquito Control Operations are intensifying their efforts in these areas as a result of these positive test confirmations. Increased mosquito surveillance, treatment of standing water, and spraying for adult mosquitoes are also being administered.

Related: Higher heat and humidity create ideal conditions for mosquitoes 

You can greatly decrease your chances of contracting WNV and EEE by protecting yourself from excessive mosquito bites while outdoors by following these recommendations:

• Remain indoors during times of greatest mosquito activity
  • (1 hour before dusk to 1 hour before dawn)
• Wear loose, long, and light-colored clothing when outdoors
• Use insect repellants containing DEET according to the label instructions.

You can contribute to these efforts by eliminating mosquito-breeding areas around your home and neighborhood by following these steps:

• Empty water-holding containers:
  • buckets, drums, bottles, tin cans, wheel barrows, potted plant trays, etc.
• Properly dispose of used tires.
• Clear roof gutters, downspouts and corrugated black drainpipes for any water collection.
• Clean wading and swimming pools
• Drain water from tarps
• Place Mosquito Dunks in stagnant water areas around your home which include ditches and low lying areas

Placing Mosquito Dunks in stagnant water habitats is a common practice used to eliminate mosquito larvae.

Free Mosquito Dunks are available to Suffolk citizens at your local fire stations, the Department of Media & Community Relations office in City Hall, Whaleyville Recreation Center, East Suffolk Recreation Center, and all Suffolk Public Libraries.

In order to get your free Mosquito Dunks, you must be 18 years of age or older, have proof of residence in the City of Suffolk, proper picture identification and sign the “Information Sheet” at the location of pick-up.

For more information about WNV and EEE, visit the Virginia Department of Health‘s website or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s website.