As we approach the peak season for the West Nile Virus, people in Berkshire County should be on the lookout when it comes to mosquitoes.

It’s a very busy season for the West Nile Virus.  

So far this season Berkshire County has found 23 cases of the West Nile Virus in mosquitoes. With six weeks left in the season, the county is predicting to see a significant increase from the past year.   

“30 last year was the most we have ever seen in the past eight years since we have been doing West Nile Surveillance,” Chris Horton, of the Berkshire County Mosquito Project, said. “23 at this stage we will probably go over the 30.”

The Mosquito Project has been working since May to control the mosquito population, targeting the mosquito at every stage of its life.

“It started out as kind of a discovery approach so we tried a lot of different spots. Eventually, we found the spots where we were more successful in catching the species of mosquito that we wanted. 

With rising cases, this peak season is a good time for people to take measures into their own hands and consider prevention.   

Mosquito-borne Disease Cases (2004-2016)

Data: CDC

“The mosquito can’t be out in bright sunshine it wants to stay in the shade or in a moist environment. So when the sun goes down, you have to start thinking about mosquitoes and avoid bites.”

Although there have been no human cases reported, the next few weeks are high risks periods.