CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Health officials in Mecklenburg County and across the state say they are seeing a lot more cases of West Nile virus this year compared to last.

What You Need To Know

West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne illness that can cause flu-like symptoms or in the worst cases it can cause neurological damage

North Carolina Public Health Entomologist Michael Doyle says as of Sept. 26 there were six cases confirmed across the state

This is triple the number compared to what they saw last year

Gary Tanguay has used mosquito control services personally since his kids were little.

“We had two dogs, two kids, an acre of land and we were outdoor people,” Tanguay said.

After his children grew up he decided to get into the mosquito business himself and is now the owner of Mosquito Joe of Charlotte. He usually performs 10 to 20 mosquito control services a day.

“We first go through the yard for an inspection, and that way we know how to treat the yard once we get there,” Tanguay said.

He says there are many reasons a yard could attract mosquitoes. This is particularly concerning during the fall when state health officials say West Nile virus is most common in mosquitoes. 

“If you take a look at the gutter, this is a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes,” Tanguay said. “You can see some of the branches have fallen down from the tree. It clogs it up and stays there.”

North Carolina Public Health Entomologist Michael Doyle says stagnant water creates an ideal home for mosquitoes. 

“The mosquito that carries West Nile virus lays its eggs in standing water, like in storm drains or gutters,” Doyle said.

He says there have been six to seven human cases of West Nile Virus reported in North Carolina, but there are likely 700 to 1,000 infections. He said the state does not report mild cases, and that is why the total numbers could be under-reported.

“For every one we see, there are potentially 100 to 150 people affected with lesser symptoms,” Doyle said.

The severity of the cases can range from mild flu-like symptoms to neurological damage. Doyle says all the cases confirmed in North Carolina were neurological damage.

Tanguay says there are many ways to identify if your yard is a hot spot for mosquitoes. He said mosquitoes don’t usually live in the grass. Instead, they live in leaves, trees and brush. He said if you have a lot of plants and shaded areas that are damp then spraying is a good option. 

“It is really about paying attention to the water and cleaning your gutters,” Tanguay said. 

Doyle says another way to protect against the virus is to use bug repellent. He says to look for products that say they work against West Nile virus.