BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- Mosquito season is in full-swing in Kern County and pest control experts are saying West Nile cases are going up.

So far this year, there have been 9 total cases of West Nile Virus in Kern County; 5 of them were contracted within the last 2 weeks.

"This late summer and early fall period is peak West Nile season each year, and we've had 5 cases in the last couple weeks. So, this is a time period where people should be really aware and take action to prevent any mosquito bites," said Dr. Mark Dery.

He's a local entomologist, who says that a higher population of mosquitoes are driving this West Nile uptick.

"In the majority of cases, people are asymptomatic. In about 20%, people experience flu-like symptoms, usually fairly minor: headache, fever, joint pain,

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