All the recent wet weather means Utah could experience the worst mosquito season in two decades.

And that means Utahns should protect themselves against West Nile virus, according to the Utah Department of Health.

Already, five mosquito pools in Utah have tested positive for the virus: three in Salt Lake county, one in Washington County and one in Box Elder County. And mosquitoes trapped and tested in Salt Lake and Washington Counties have tested positive for the virus.

Since 2003, there have been 318 confirmed cases of the virus in Utah. Most of the infected won't experience symptoms. Twenty percent will develop moderate to severe flu-like symptoms. Symptoms of the severe form of West Nile virus include high fever, severe headache and stiff neck. When symptoms are severe, a health-care provider should be contacted immediately.

The risk of severe illness is greater for those with diabetes and weakened immune systems. Risk of severe illness also increases with age.

To protect yourself:

» Use mosquito repellents containing DEET or Picaridin when outdoors from dusk to dawn, when West Nile-infected mosquitoes are biting.

» Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants while outdoors.

» Remove standing water in tires or other containers to eliminate mosquito breeding areas.

-- Information taken from Utah Department of Health news release.