With the return of summer, the risk of getting infected with West Nile virus is higher than in any other season of the year.

There were already confirmed eight human cases in five states, namely in Arizona, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention informed. Also, there have been reported animal cases in nine states, including Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas and Utah.

West Nile virus was first spotted in New York in 1999 and has since spread westward, ultimately appearing in every state. Last year, the U.S. confronted with no less than 2,630 human cases. The number of West Nile infections is low this year, but the season benefiting infection with the virus is only at the beginning. Also, mosquito population, which is responsible for West Nile Virus spreading, is on the rise.

Therefore, people should be more involved in the fight against mosquitoes helping authorities to spot places benefiting mosquitoes’ growth. These places include abandoned houses or pools. Also, they should report any dead corvid, birds such as crows, magpies, ravens, jays and raptors. These birds usually die after being infected with West Nile Virus. That’s why they can be warning signs that mosquitoes in the area could be carrying the virus. Horses can also be carriers of the virus.

Besides helping authorities stay alert, people should also protect themselves by adopting some elementary rules like staying indoors when mosquitoes are most active (dusk to dawn), making sure screens on doors and windows are working properly, covering exposed skin with light-colored clothing when outside in the evening or using an effective repellent on exposed skin.

West Nile infection starts with one bite from an infected mosquito; for some people this could show no symptoms, while for others could manifest through fever, headache, chills, weakness, and drowsiness. The most severe cases lead to meningitis or encephalitis, including low levels of consciousness and fatigue. There is no vaccine to prevent West Nile infection.