First Boulder County Case of West Nile Virus This Season
Reported
Monday, August 17, 2009 - Boulder, Colo. – Boulder
County Public Health (BCPH) has confirmed the first case of
West Nile virus (WNV) in Boulder County for the 2009 season;
it is the fourth case of the disease in Colorado this year.
Other cases are in Jefferson County (2) and Weld County (2).
The 64-year-old Boulder County man reported that he first
became ill around July 15. He developed a fever but was not
hospitalized, and he has made a full recovery. He lives in
eastern Boulder County.
“We are glad to see that this person made a full
recovery, as many have not been as fortunate. This case,
combined with the number of mosquitoes that have tested
positive for carrying the virus, is a reminder that we are
all at risk,” said Marshall Lipps, Boulder County Public
Health (BCPH) Environmental Health Specialist. “I cannot
stress strongly enough that residents must be diligent in
taking steps to protect themselves and their families.”
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 occasionally can also 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.
Public health officials urge residents to take action to
protect themselves by following ALL of the four Ds:
- DEET – use DEET-enhanced insect repellant or
an approved alternative.
- Dress in long sleeves and pants.
- Dusk to dawn - avoid the outdoors.
- Drain standing water outside the home.
For more information about WNV, please visit the BCPH
website at
www.BoulderCountyMosquito.net. A pre-recorded message
for general information is also available at 303-441-1460.
To ask specific questions, call the Colorado Health
Information Line at 1-877-462-2911 (available in Spanish and
English). |
