JACKSONVILLE Fla. -- Mosquitoes are multiplying in Duval county and the rain isn't helping. Ten of the last twelve days have been rainy.
"They bite me all the time," said Bernardita Coronado of Jacksonville. "It's all over!
More of the biting insects means more illness. Action News has learned about two new cases of West Nile Virus in Duval County, raising the disease count up to 11. Last year at this time, only eight cases had been reported.
"The potential is certainly there to get more cases," said Vincy Samuel with the Duval County Health Department. "Our peak season goes until September and so for as long as that peak season with the mosquitoes and the rain is there we do have that heightened concern."
Duval is one of only two counties in Florida that has reported West Nile in humans this year. These newest local cases involve an 84-year-old man and a 63-year-old woman.
"Our risk group is typical people over the age of 50 as well as people that have immunocompromized systems," said Samuels.
Still, the health department insists that everyone take precaution to reduce the risk of disease. Stock up on deet and repellent, and cover exposed skin when outdoors. Also be sure that you drain as much standing water in your yard as you possibly can.
"We're heightening our concern over here for West Nile and we want to make sure that our residents are protecting themselves," said Samuels.
