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Boulder County Public Health Communications Office 303-441-1457
First
Boulder County Mosquito Pool Positive for West Nile Virus
Friday, July 17, 2009 - Boulder - Today Boulder
County Public Health (BCPH) confirmed the first positive
Boulder County mosquito sample for West Nile virus (WNV)
this season. The positive mosquito sample was part of a
pooled sample that came from three mosquito traps collected
from various areas within the city of Longmont.
“The wet weather we saw over the past few
weeks, followed by hot weather, have created breeding
grounds for mosquitoes, that will likely contribute to
increased activity by the culex mosquitoes (the species of
mosquito that can carry WNV),” said Marshall Lipps, BCPH
Environmental Health Specialist. “We stress that residents
should drain any standing water around their homes to reduce
the chance of mosquitoes breeding.”
This is the first positive mosquito sample
for Boulder County this year. There have also been positive
mosquito pools identified in neighboring Larimer County.
Although this positive mosquito pool came
from Longmont, public health officials are urging that
precautions be taken throughout the county.
“It’s easy to forget that West Nile virus
is still a concern since we haven’t seen many cases in
recent years,” said BCPH Communicable Disease Division
Manager Nisha Alden. “But this positive test result just
confirms that every one of us is at risk for the disease,
regardless of where we live in the county, and we should
continue to protect ourselves from mosquitoes.”
As of July 14, eight human cases of WNV
have been reported in Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Nevada,
South Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas. Generally, the mosquito
season extends from late April until mid-October, with the
end usually signaled by the first freeze in the fall.
BCPH officials reiterate that West Nile
virus is still a threat, and they urge residents to take
necessary precautions to protect themselves.
Keep safe this summer, and remember the
4Ds:
1. Use DEET- enhanced insect repellent or alternative.
2. DRESS in long sleeves and pants.
3. Avoid the outdoors from DUSK until DAWN.
4. DRAIN standing water outside your home.
For more information about West Nile virus,
mosquito activity in Boulder County, or steps you can take
to protect yourself and your loved ones, visit the BCPH Web
site at
www.bouldercountymosquito.net, or call the hotline at
303-441-1460. |
