West Nile Virus found in Virginia Beach Mosquitos

VIRGINIA BEACH — The city’s Mosquito Control reported that they have found West Nile virus mosquito activity in some parts of the city.

Officials have conducted weekly tests throughout the city since June, and some of the mosquitoes that have been collected and tested for West Nile virus have tested positive, according to a news release from the city.

Jennifer Barritt, a biologist with the city’s Mosquito Control, said the samples were collected on June 25, and those three are areas that historically had West Nile virus positives.

The primary vector of West Nile virus in the region is culex pipiens/restuans, which breeds in water with a higher organic content, so larvaciding efforts by Mosquito Control will focus on stagnant water where mosquitoes may be breeding, such as ditches, stormwater catch basins, standing water in horse pastures and other areas, officials said.