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Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile in Coconino County

First West Nile virus death this season in Maricopa
Posted at 12:56 PM, Aug 22, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-22 15:56:31-04

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - Health officials say mosquitoes in Coconino County have tested positive for West Nile virus.

The county's Health and Human Services office said Thursday the mosquitoes were south of Lake Mary Road in Flagstaff. The county says it has treated pools of water in the area to reduce the mosquito population.

Officials encourage county residents to use mosquito repellent, and avoid the outdoors at dusk and dawn when West Nile-carrying mosquitoes are most active.

The county has not recorded any human cases of the virus since 2010.

Meanwhile, Arizona has a record 126 confirmed and probable human cases so far this year, almost all in Maricopa County. Seven people have died

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about 20 percent of people bitten by infected mosquitoes get sick.