Above average rainfalls and more standing water could make this a worse year for the West Nile Virus in Iowa. Judy Van Hulzen, Public Health Nurse with Marion County Public Health, says the virus is spread from mosquito bites and its important to use insect repellent with DEET, and wear long pants and shirts if youre going to be outside to avoid being bit. She also recommends emptying buckets, cans, pool covers, and other things that may collect standing water, where mosquitoes lay their eggs.