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Contacts: Lori Maldonado
Public Information Specialist
(303) 692-2028 - Office
(303) 921-8598 – Cell
For Immediate Release Thursday, October 9, 2003
One Additional West Nile Virus Death Reported
DENVER – A 71-year-old man from Arapahoe County is the 44th human to
die from West Nile virus, state health officials reported Thursday.
The man from Littleton died Sept. 20 from West Nile encephalitis.
This is the fourth West Nile virus-related death for Arapahoe
County.
Also reported Thursday were 166 new human cases of West Nile virus
in Colorado, bringing the state’s total to 2,336.
John Pape, an epidemiologist who specializes in animal-related
diseases at the Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment, said, “This death and these new human cases are for
individuals who were infected with West Nile virus in late –August
through mid-September. Although West Nile virus season is over in
Colorado, such residual cases will continue to be reported through
October as the department’s investigations are completed.”
Because West Nile virus season has ended, additional human cases and
deaths will be reported every Thursday instead of every weekday,
Pape said.
More information on West Nile virus can be found on the Web at
www.FighttheBiteColorado.com or by calling the Colorado Health
Education Line for the Public at 1-877-462-2911. The statewide,
toll-free hotline, which is staffed by trained operators, is open
from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week.
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