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This year’s drought conditions has kept the mosquito population low in our part of the country, but cases of West Nile Virus are at historic highs elsewhere.  Traci Shirkey with Washington County Public Health says as of the end of August, 1590 cases have been reported in the United States including seven in Iowa.

She says many people who have the virus show no symptoms, but less than one percent of people who have it, especially those over 50 will have serious complications.

The West Nile season in Iowa usually lasts until the first frost.  Shirkey says to contact your primary care doctor if you feel like you have West Nile Virus.