West Nile Virus in the West
Last year, West Nile Virus hit Boulder County and surrounding
counties hard. In 2003, Boulder County reported 430 cases of the virus,
while Larimer County reported 546, and Weld County reported 402 of the
total 2,947 documented human infections in Colorado.
So far this year, 15 counties throughout Colorado have documented 69
human cases of the virus. As of August 2, Mesa County has been hardest
hit with 32 infections. Larimer County follows with ten cases, Boulder
County with six, and Adams County with five. The remaining eleven
counties have one or more documented cases.
It is important to note that only two positive mosquitoes have been
reported in Boulder County and two in Larimer County to date this year. In other words,
positive mosquitoes do not always equal positive human cases, and there is still a risk of contracting the virus, regardless
of the number of positive mosquitoes. In fact, Adams, Denver, and
Jefferson counties have documented human infection but no positive
mosquitoes have been reported.
Nationally, similar to last year, the western part of the nation
has been the hardest hit. In addition to the 69 cases in Colorado, Arizona
has reported 246 human cases, most of which are in
Maricopa County (Phoenix and its surrounding metro area). Southern
California has reported 70 human cases of infection (mostly in Los
Angeles and San Bernardino counties) from the virus.
With the risk of West Nile virus still present in our community, we
continue to recommend all residents follow the 4 Ds in addition to local mosquito control efforts
to reduce the risk of contracting the virus. The 4 Ds are as follows:
-
Use DEET-enhanced insect repellent or
alternative.
-
DRESS in long sleeves and pants.
- Avoid the outdoors between DUSK AND DAWN.
- DRAIN standing water.
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