Why is the West Nile Virus spreading so quickly?

Troy, Michigan (WXYZ) - We have always heard that mosquitoes reproduce quickly in wet weather.  Considering we have had such a dry summer, many are surprised at the sudden deadly spread of the West Nile Virus.

Bug experts have theories as to why it is happening.

Gene White from Rose Pest Solutions shared one of those theories.   He says the dry weather is forcing mosquitoes and the birds they infect to gather in concentrated areas around water.  In those concentrated areas the virus is quickly spreading amongst them. 

“All the animals all the birds go to those pools of water so it increases the transmission between the mosquitoes and the birds,” said White. “So you have a greater percentage of the mosquitoes with the West Nile Virus.”

White recommends you take action to protect yourself.  He says seal your homes, make sure the screens are tight, and get rid of standing water at your home.  If you don’t need to be out at the biting times, stay inside.  If you are outside, wear long sleeves, pants, and repellents.

He has a vested interest in your doing so, but still recommends that you encourage your community to target the mosquito population next spring.  He says that is when pest control experts are most able to effectively limit the spread of the virus.

So far the state is reporting at least three deaths in metro-Detroit due to the virus.