As of October 1, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has identified a record number of human West Nile virus (WNV) cases. VDH has received reports of WNV from multiple regions of the state for a combined total of 38 human cases in 2018* .

These cases serve as a reminder that mosquitoes that transmit WNV can be active as late as the end of October here in Virginia, said State Health Commissioner M. Norman Oliver, MD, MA, and so we are advising the public to avoid mosquito bites until the first frost.

Read the full news release: Health Officials Warn of Increased Risk of WNV Transmission in Virginia

*Seven of those 38 cases are in Fairfax County and an additional case has been reported.