Cases of the West Nile virus have been popping up more and more. Nearly 150 Phoenix-area residents have contracted the West Nile virus this year, which is the most reported cases in Arizona.

There have also been 16 reported deaths related to the West Nile virus in the state. 

The Maricopa County Environmental Services Department is preventing the disease from spreading by setting out 800 mosquito traps every week to test mosquitoes for viruses.

The department also has been fogging areas with a large concentration of mosquitoes carrying the disease. 

Johnny Diloné is with Maricopa County Environmental Services Department, he explains their protocol for fogging.

“If the trap tests positive for West Nile or Saint Louis Encephalitis we’ll go back to that area and we’ll spray or fog that 1 square mile area where that trap was located.” Diloné said. 

Diloné asks for the community's help to rid their residences of mosquito breeding sites by dumping standing water. Most people who contract West Nile have mild cases, but about 20% of them will have flu-like symptoms.