West Nile risk still present despite drop in mosquitoes

PHOENIX — Despite a drop in mosquito activity, Valley residents are still at risk to contract West Nile virus, Maricopa County Environmental Services said.

According to the county, mosquitoes that are most active during the summer daytime hours are flood water mosquitoes, and these are not associated with disease. Mosquitoes that remain active in the evening, howver, can be carriers of the virus.

“The latest I’ve ever had a positive West Nile mosquito sample come in is the day before Christmas,” said John Townsend with Maricopa County Environmental Services Department, Vector Control Division. “The earliest I’ve ever had a positive mosquito sample was the 14th of January.”

Townsend said that unless there is a hard freeze this type of mosquito will continue being a nuisance and threat.

Residents should be on the lookout for green pools and immediately report them.