The mosquitoes that carry the virus are only out biting from dusk to dawn, and the best prevention is wearing mosquito repellent that contains DEET. Experts also suggest removing standing water from around the house, trimming back weeds and grasses, and wearing long sleeves and pants outside after dusk.

There's no question some Utah mosquitoes will carry the virus, which arrived in Utah two years ago. West Nile virus has already been found in mosquito populations in seven states this year, including Arizona and California, said Jana Kettering, public information officer for the Utah Department of Health.

Conditions are perfect for mosquito habitat statewide, with warm temperatures and plenty of water, thanks to recent wet weather and then snow melt.

It has been eight months since Utahns had to protect themselves from the virus and the pest that carries it, said state epidemiologist Dr. Robert Rolfs in a news release about the holiday-based reminder. It's time to pick up prevention habits again, he said, before the virus-bearing mosquito is active.

Best Prevention: Mosquito Repellent Containing DEET

The mosquitoes that carry the virus are only out biting from dusk to dawn, and the best prevention, according to Kettering, is wearing mosquito repellent that contains DEET. Experts also suggest removing standing water from around the house, trimming back weeds and grasses, and wearing long sleeves and pants outside after dusk.

Taking precautions makes a difference, Kettering said. Dire warnings were issued last year about the virus, since a severe second year after the virus hits an area has been the normal pattern.

Instead, Utah's virus activity was relatively mild: 11 humans, 181 mosquito pools, five horses, eight birds and 32 chickens were identified as having West Nile virus. It was found in 11 of Utah's 29 counties. Six of the human cases were serious enough to require hospitalization.

Kettering credits precautions by the public for the low numbers last year. The data, she said, show they listened to the health warnings and prevention measures and then put them into practice.

Many People Not Doing Everything They Could

The state's annual Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System telephone survey, which asks questions on a number of topics, found that 65 percent of those interviewed had used repellents with DEET.

But only 8 percent reported using DEET every time they were outdoors from sundown to sunrise, when there's risk. About one-fourth of respondents said they used protective clothing. And 6 percent removed standing water from around their homes.

Despite widespread familiarity with protective measures -- the subject of a media campaign last year that will be repeated this year -- many people weren't doing everything they could to protect themselves, Kettering said.

Cold Weather Stops Mosquito Activity

The state monitors West Nile activity through fall, when cold weather stops mosquito activity. Besides asking the public to report certain types of dead birds, including corvids and raptors known to be susceptible, sentinel chicken flocks throughout the state are monitored and pools of mosquitoes are also tested.

For more information on the virus or to see current information on its presence in Utah, go online to www.health.utah.gov/wnv. The information is updated every Wednesday or as needed. To report dead birds, call the nearest regional Division of Wildlife Resources office or go online to www.wildlife.utah.gov/wnv.