West Nile Virus Cases in Boulder
County Jump to Twenty
August 29, 2006, Boulder County — Less than four weeks after the first
human case of West Nile virus (WNV) was confirmed in Boulder County
for 2006, the number of confirmed cases has now reached 20, with two
cases still under investigation. As of August 28, 80 human cases of
WNV have been reported statewide this year.
The majority of individuals suffered from WNV
fever, and two individuals developed neuro-invasive disease (i.e.
meningitis and/or encephalitis). The age of those confirmed with the
disease range from 27 to 82 years, with the median age of 53.
"Yes, there has been significant mosquito
activity in the county,” said Heath Harmon, Boulder County Public
Health (BCPH) epidemiologist. “But residents should be able to avoid
this disease by taking precautions.”
Reports have come from the cities of Boulder,
Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville, and Superior, as well as
unincorporated Boulder County. The majority of cases reside north and
east of Boulder, from Gunbarrel through unincorporated Boulder County.
In addition to human cases, there have been eight
WNV-positive specimens from birds and 81 positive mosquito pools in
Boulder County.
“After seeing the first death in Colorado
confirmed yesterday, and so much mosquito activity in Boulder County,
I urge all of our residents to please take the extra step to protect
themselves when outside between dusk and dawn," said Helen Majzler,
BCPH Clinical Director, "Even a mild infection with the disease can be
debilitating.”
WNV is a disease that can be transmitted to
humans by mosquitoes. While most infections are mild, the more serious
infections can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and/or
meningitis (inflammation of the brain's lining), loss of vision,
paralysis, coma, tremors, convulsions, and in some cases, death.
“Keeping repellent next to the door - even
repellent with the DEET alternative Picaridin or oil of lemon
eucalyptus - is a good way to remember to protect yourself before you
walk out that door, even if it’s just to pick up the mail or turn on
the sprinkler,” said Majzler.
Symptoms of WNV include fever, extreme fatigue,
headache, body aches, and can occasionally include skin rashes and
swollen lymph nodes. Generally, symptoms appear three to 14 days after
being bitten by a mosquito. Persons who experience these symptoms
should consult with their doctors or local community health clinics.
There is no treatment, cure, or human vaccination
for WNV; health care providers can only treat the symptoms to help
patients feel better and possibly recover more quickly.
The only treatment available is prevention.
Public health officials urge residents to heed
their warning and take action to protect themselves by following ALL
of the four Ds. The 4 D’s are:
-
DEET - use DEET-enhanced insect
repellant or alternative.
-
Dress in long sleeves and pants.
-
Dusk to dawn - avoid the outdoors.
-
Drain standing water outside the home.
Additional information:
- West
Nile Virus Video, 30 Seconds.
Requires: Windows Media Player 9
- West Nile Hotline: 303-441-1460.
- To ask specific questions, call the Colorado Health Education
Line at 1-877-462-2911 (available in Spanish and English).
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