First Human Death from West Nile Virus in Boulder
County
September 27, 2006, Boulder County — Boulder County Public
Health (BCPH) confirmed the first death from West Nile virus (WNV) in
Boulder County for the 2006 season. It is the third death from WNV in
Colorado this year. The 43-year-old Boulder County man reported he
first became ill around September 12. He developed encephalitis as a
result of the virus and died on September 25.
“In a season with increased
WNV activity, we unfortunately are not surprised to see a death
occurring from this disease,” said Gail Wright, a BCPH nurse
epidemiologist. “This is a sad reminder that WNV can be lethal, and we
should all take necessary precautions.”
To date, a total of 253 human cases of WNV disease have been
reported in Colorado, including 53 confirmed cases in Boulder County.
An additional eight Boulder County cases are still under
investigation. Of the confirmed cases in Boulder County, seven have
resulted in neurological disease - a more serious form of WNV that can
result in death, particularly among the elderly and those with
underlying serious medical conditions.
Throughout the season, human WNV cases have been confirmed in each
of the county’s municipalities, as well as in unincorporated Boulder
County. Although weather has been cooler in recent weeks, public
health officials remind residents that WNV is still a risk until we
experience the first hard freeze of the season.
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 death.
Symptoms of WNV
include fever, extreme fatigue, headache, body aches, and can
occasionally include skin rashes and swollen lymph nodes. Generally,
symptoms appear 3 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.
“This unfortunate death should really bring home the message to
Boulder County residents and visitors,” said Helen Majzler, BCPH
Clinical Director. “West Nile virus is here in our county, and we must
be diligent in protecting ourselves.”
Public health officials urge residents to heed their warning and
take action to protect themselves by following ALL of the four Ds,
which 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.
For more information about WNV a pre-recorded message for general
information is also available at 303-441-1460. To ask specific
questions, call the Colorado Health Education Line at 1-877-462-2911
(available in Spanish and English).
Additional information:
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