The mosquito-borne West Nile virus is circulating in Maricopa County and is causing an unusually high number of deaths this year. 

Ten people have died so far in the month of September alone. The virus is spread by mosquitoes, and the recent monsoon season has provided them the ideal conditions to breed. 

“Mosquitoes need water, they need stagnant water, and they need warm temperatures. And that’s exactly what they’ve been getting this monsoon season” said Johnny Dilone with Maricopa County’s Environmental Services. He also says residents should not panic, but instead be aware of the issue and remove standing water outside their properties. He says as little as a capful of water could potentially breed hundreds of mosquitoes. 

Dilone encourages residents to wear insect repellent, long sleeves and pants, and to avoid being outside at dawn and dusk.