California public health officials say the number of mosquitos carrying West Nile Virus is at the highest level ever detected.
Officials say 181 human cases of West Nile infections have been reported this year. Last year at this time, slightly more than 100 cases had been reported.
Eight people have died from the infection this year.
Transmission of the West Nile virus from a mosquito bite rarely creates serious health problems, but elderly people and people with chronic conditions are at a higher risk of developing complications.
State health officials recommend people apply insect repellant, protect themselves from mosquitoes in the early morning and evening and drain standing pools of water.
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