Chatham County officials have boosted funding for mosquito testing over concerns about the West Nile virus.

The mosquito control department recently received nearly $20,000 in emergency funding for additional testing.

There have been a high number of West Nile virus carriers, an issue that may have been triggered by this year's unusually heavy rainfall.

So far, 79 samples this year have tested positive for the virus, but there have been no human infections. In 2012, there were 38 positive samples and one human infection.

Federal officials say less than 1 percent of people infected with the West Nile virus develop a serious neurologic illness.

Tags: health, Savannah, Chatham County, mosquitoes, West Nile Virus, mosquito-born illness, gpbwell