This year could bring record numbers of West Nile cases

The potentially deadly West Nile virus is threatening to reach record highs in California this year and experts say the drought is to blame.

There were 801 cases of West Nile last year, the highest amount California has ever seen. This year, state health officials say it could be even worse. Health experts say one reason the numbers were so high last year is because it was a record hot year. Mosquitos, which carry the virus, are more abundant and active in hot temperatures.

"The drought can also contribute to West Nile Virus activity and we think that when the birds and mosquitos seek out the limited water sources, there’s less water when there’s a drought, that they’re more likely to come into contact and this amplifies the virus which is maintained in nature in a bird-mosquito-bird cycle," Vicki Kramer, from State Health Dept said.

The areas affected the most by West Nile last year was Orange and Glenn counties, but cases have been seen all over the state. Health experts expect the highest number of cases to occur between July and September, the hottest months of the year.