Recent Rainy Pattern Could Lead To Mosquito Spike In Oklahoma, Health Officials Say

With all the rain comes standing water, and with standing water comes mosquitos. Now, there's a new warning from state health officials.

"If you're having a lot of rain in certain areas, it's making a better habitat for reproduction and them to survive," said LeMac Morris with the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

Morris said one of the biggest threats with these mosquitos is the possibility of the West Nile Virus.

"It's hard to predict who's going to be severely affected, who's going to have mild disease," said Morris.

According to the CDC, 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms and 1 out of 150 develop more serious symptoms, which could even be fatal.

So far this year, there have been no reported cases of West Nile Virus in the state. In 2020, the health department only saw seven cases, but Morris still urges Oklahomans to be cautious.

The health department said you can avoid mosquito bites by applying bug repellent, staying inside after dark, and draining any standing water around your home.

"If you minimize this water around your house, then you're helping decrease the population," said Morris.

Even local mosquito control companies are expecting an increase in business. One company said they typically see five to 10 customers a day, but now, they're seeing 15 to 20.

"A cup of water can generate about 300 mosquitos," said Evan Brown with OKC Mosquito Militia. "You think of all the places you can put a cup of water, it's just waiting to explode."