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By Spencer Kent | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Summer may be on the wane, but the mosquitoes are still swarming.
A ninth person this season in New Jersey tested positive last week for West Nile virus as there continues to be a spike in mosquitoes also testing positive for the virus throughout the state.
The rain has been the main problem, helping to keep the bloodsuckers thriving and multiplying.
Experts last month had predicted that mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile in the state would continue to increase. And, they were right.
Roughly three weeks ago, a total of 452 mosquito pools — a collection of mosquitoes trapped throughout the state — tested positive for the virus in all 21 counties.
As of Sept. 1 that number rose to 767 positive mosquito pools, a 40-percent spike in the total pools found during the same time last year, according to the New Jersey Department of Health’s most recent vector-borne surveillance report.
A few weeks ago, there were also only three people listed as having contracted West Nile in the state. But, that number rose to nine this week — the most recent being a man in Cape May County.
Where have people been getting West Nile in N.J.?
Here's a break down of where people in the state have contracted West Nile virus:
- Bergen: 2
- Cape May: 1
- Essex: 1
- Hudson: 1
- Hunterdon: 2
- Ocean: 1
- Somerset: 1
As of last week,15 counties have seen an increase in West Nile virus activity this season compared with last year, according to the state Health Department.
And with West Nile activity continuing to rise throughout the state, here’s an updated breakdown of how New Jersey's 21 counties are faring and which have had the highest concentration of mosquitoes to test positive for West Nile virus:
21. Salem County
- Positive pools in 2018: 5
- Positive pools in 2017: 7
- Positive pools in 2016: 1
20. Sussex County
- Positive pools in 2018: 7
- Positive pools in 2017: 20
- Positive pools in 2016: 7
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19. Passaic County
- Positive pools in 2018: 7
- Positive pools in 2017: 3
- Positive pools in 2016: 23
18. Cumberland County
- Positive pools in 2018: 9
- Positive pools in 2017: 2
- Positive pools in 2016: 1
17. Cape May County
- Positive pools in 2018: 11
- Positive pools in 2017: 16
- Positive pools in 2016: 6
16. Essex County
- Positive pools in 2018: 12
- Positive pools in 2017: 6
- Positive pools in 2016: 2
Mosquitoes being counted in a lab. (MLive.com photo)
15. Atlantic County
- Positive pools in 2018: 15
- Positive pools in 2017: 1
- Positive pools in 2016: 14
14. Ocean County
- Positive pools in 2018: 17
- Positive pools in 2017: 11
- Positive pools in 2016: 1
13. Burlington County
- Positive pools in 2018: 25
- Positive pools in 2017: 17
- Positive pools in 2016: 9
12. Camden County
- Positive pools in 2018: 29
- Positive pools in 2017: 30
- Positive pools in 2016: 8
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11. Warren County
- Positive pools in 2018: 33
- Positive pools in 2017: 21
- Positive pools in 2016: 2
10. Middlesex County
- Positive pools in 2018: 38
- Positive pools in 2017: 36
- Positive pools in 2016: 29
9. Mercer County
- Positive pools in 2018: 39
- Positive pools in 2017: 17
- Positive pools in 2016: 24
8. Monmouth County
- Positive pools in 2018: 43
- Positive pools in 2017: 11
- Positive pools in 2016: 16
Blood is screened for the presence of West Nile virus. (AP file photo)
7. Union County
- Positive pools in 2018: 45
- Positive pools in 2017: 74
- Positive pools in 2016: 74
6. Somerset County
- Positive pools in 2018: 47
- Positive pools in 2017: 27
- Positive pools in 2016: 14
5. Hudson County
- Positive pools in 2018: 49
- Positive pools in 2017: 56
- Positive pools in 2016: 28
4. Hunterdon County
- Positive pools in 2018: 71
- Positive pools in 2017: 46
- Positive pools in 2016: 39
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3. Gloucester County
- Positive pools in 2018: 72
- Positive pools in 2017: 47
- Positive pools in 2016: 50
2. Morris County
- Positive pools in 2018: 90
- Positive pools in 2017: 20
- Positive pools in 2016: 12
1. Bergen County
- Positive pools in 2018: 103
- Positive pools in 2017: 81
- Positive pools in 2016: 88
More on mosquitos and West Nile in New Jersey:
- First case of West Nile virus confirmed in N.J.
- West Nile found in another Northwest N.J. town
- Mosquitoes with West Nile virus were just found in 5 local places in 1 week. Find out where.
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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