if there is one time of year to break out the bug spray it's Labor Day weekend this is the prime time the last week of August and the first week of September when West Nile usually Peaks nationally said Dr Aaron Staples a mosquito expert and medical epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and prevention people need to be using their insect repellent right now mosquito born viruses are making their rounds across the country sometimes with devastating effects according to the CDC 289 cases of West Nile Virus have been logged so far in 2024 a majority of those patients 195 developed severe neurological problems like inflammation of the brain or paralysis at least 18 died this is the time of year when cases of West Nile Virus rapidly increase Staples said while it's too early in the season to compare this year with others she said some areas like Texas and New York City are seeing a lot of activity