First Human West Nile
Virus Cases
Confirmed in Colorado for 2004
On
June 11th, the Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment confirmed Colorado’s first two reported human cases of
West Nile virus for 2004.
The
first human case was a 35-year-old woman from Adams County, who became
ill with West Nile fever on May 30. She was not hospitalized and is
recovering. The second human case involved a 30-year-old man from Pueblo
County, who became ill with West Nile fever on June 2. He also was not
hospitalized and is recovering.
Douglas
H. Benevento, the executive director of the Colorado Department of
Public Health and Environment, said, “These new cases do not come as a
surprise. We have been preparing for the reemergence of West Nile virus
and want to strongly remind Coloradans that this is a preventable
illness. Now is the time to take personal precautions against being
bitten by the mosquitoes that carry this disease.”
Individuals can protect themselves by remembering the
4Ds:
Use DEET or
alternative.
DRESS in long
sleeves and pants.
Avoid DUSK until DAWN.
DRAIN standing
water.
There
have been no reported cases of West Nile virus in humans, birds, horses,
or mosquitoes in Boulder County this year. Boulder County Public Health
officials are working diligently to educate the community about the risk
of the virus this summer; the preventive steps that can be taken; as
well as maintaining constant surveillance of horse, bird, mosquito, and
human illness.
Please
review the Boulder County plan, or call 303-413-7503 or 303-441-1564
for more information about West Nile virus efforts in Boulder County
this summer.
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