First Case of West Nile

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT
1555 N. 17th Avenue
Greeley, CO 80631
Web: http://www.co.weld.co.us/redesign/health/

Our vision: Together with the communities we serve, we are working to make Weld County a healthy place to live, learn, work and play.

News Release

Contact: Gaye Morrison, Public Information Officer
970-304-6470 ext. 2380
gmorrison@co.weld.co.us

For Immediate Release July 2, 2010

FIRST HUMAN CASE OF WEST NILE IN WELD COUNTY

Greeley – The Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment confirmed today the first human case of West Nile virus in Weld County in 2010. The fifty-three year old female was diagnosed with West Nile fever and is recovering at home. This is also the first confirmed human case of West Nile virus in Colorado in 2010. In 2009, there were 103 human cases of West Nile virus in Colorado with 3 deaths. In Weld County there were a total of 15 cases confirmed last year and no deaths.

Dr. Mark Wallace, Executive Director of the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment (WCDPHE), said, “Conditions have been favorable for mosquitoes to breed. Many people have reported mosquitoes being more bothersome this season. It is not unexpected that northern Colorado is where the first case of West Nile virus infection has occurred. We are thankful the person in Weld County is recovering well. Everyone should take precautions – avoid being out at dusk and dawn, wear protective clothing, apply appropriate repellant when outside, repair holes in window screens, and reduce the amount of standing water around your home. West Nile infection can be prevented when precautions are taken.”

Mosquito counts have been rising rapidly in Weld County and have been particularly high in Greeley, Evans, Ft. Lupton and Milliken. The health department began adult mosquito surveillance on June 7, 2010 and conducts weekly mosquito trapping at 24 locations in the county. To date 24 pools of Culex mosquitoes have been submitted to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for testing and none have tested positive for West Nile Virus.

There are several municipalities in Weld County that have mosquito control programs in place, including Dacono, Evans, Erie, Firestone, Fort Lupton, Frederick, Johnstown, Kersey, Keensburg, LaSalle, Lochbuie, Platteville and Windsor. Mosquito control programs differ depending on the municipality but may include trapping, larvacide treatment to prevent mosquito breeding and adulticide or spraying.

Dr. Wallace emphasizes that everyone must take personal precautions against mosquito bites even if there is a mosquito control program where they live. Additional recommendations for protecting yourself and family against mosquito bites include:

• Using approved mosquito repellents containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535. DEET products generally provide the longest protection. The other repellents work but must be applied more frequently. Follow the product label for correct use. Products with 10 percent or less DEET are recommended for children.
• Spraying clothing with insecticides containing DEET or Permethrin if you are outside for long periods of time. This will last up to four washings or two weeks on clothing. It is important to follow product directions.
• Wearing light weight clothing with long pants and sleeves in addition to repellent when outdoors.
• Getting rid of any standing water that provides breeding places for the mosquitoes.
• Using a larvacide if you have standing water around your home that you cannot drain. Larvacide can be placed directly in water and it kills mosquito larvae before they have a chance to hatch. It comes in a variety of forms, from briquettes to sprays, and many types are nontoxic.

West Nile virus is carried by birds and transmitted by mosquitos that bite the infected birds. Infected mosquitoes transmit the virus to humans, horses, and birds. Everyone is at risk for mosquito born disease. West Nile season in Colorado begins in late June, peaks in July and August, and goes through September.

West Nile virus symptoms may appear in 3 – 14 days after infection. Initial symptoms include fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, muscle aches and weakness and rash. Some individuals may become seriously ill with encephalitis, swelling of the brain, or meningitis, a swelling of the brain’s lining or the spinal cord. Symptoms of severe illness include high fever, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, muscle weakness, vision loss, paralysis and even death. If a person or someone in their family develops symptoms, they should contact their health care provider.

For more information on West Nile virus call the CO Help hotline at 1-877-462-2911 or the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment hotline at 970-304-6420, ext. 2234 for English or ext. 2235 for Spanish. Visit www.FighttheBiteColorado.com. or www.co.weld.co.us.