Public health officials say, this year's mosquito season could be particularly irksome.

There isn't a problem right now.

But with this winter's heavy rains, we could see more than usual mosquitoes over the next several months.

And it's not just the heavy rains.

"The temperatures have been elevated a lot quicker," says Todd Jones of the Chatham County Health Department.
"We haven't had a long springtime.  The conditions are better for a mosquito hatch."

Mosquitoes can carry West Nile Virus.

Last year, Georgia had four West Nile cases, two of them fatal.

Clayton County reported this year's first case.

Officials stress the usual means of preventing bites: avoiding outdoor activity at dawn and dusk, using DEET repellant and draining containers of standing water.

Tags: GPB News, Chatham County Public Health Department, Division of Public Health, mosquitoes, public health, Todd Jones, West Nile Virus