West Nile Virus found in Boulder County

BOULDER COUNTY, CO – Mosquitoes trapped by public health officials from Boulder County in Erie, Louisville and Longmont have been tested positive for West Nile virus.

Blood-sucking insects with the dangerous virus were found in traps near West Canyon Creek in Erie, Coal Creek Golf Course in Louisville, and Jim Hamm Pond in Longmont, the Boulder County County Public Health Department. said in a statement. "While it may be embarrbading, taking steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones is the best thing we can all do to avoid becoming very ill," said Gina Bare, Boulder County Environmental Health Specialist. "Our high temperatures and the newly created rainy weather have created the ideal environment for mosquito breeding."

The percentage of mosquitoes infected with the virus found in the traps indicates whether pesticides should be sprayed, the county said. A measure called "vector index" is used to indicate the risk of transmission of West Nile virus. An emergency spray may be recommended when the vector index reaches 0.75 or higher. No currently measured area is at this level, with 0.13 for Zone 3 (Erie and Louisville combined) and 0.11 for Zone 2 (Longmont).

Boulder County spray schedules can be found here

West Nile is transmitted to humans from the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms of the disease appear 3-14 days after being bitten and include fever, extreme fatigue, headache, body aches, and may also include rashes and swollen lymph nodes, the Department of Health. health said. WNV can be dangerous for the elderly or immunocompromised, and severe cases can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and / or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain), loss of vision, paralysis, coma, tremors, convulsions and dead .

Colorado's Front Range was Ground Zero for West Nile in 2003, when 2,947 human cases were reported to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Since then, the number of reported human cases has been less than 300, with only 69 cases reported in 2017.

West Nile virus has no treatment, cure or human vaccination for the virus, and the only way to prevent it is by not catching it in the first place.

Public Health Officials in Boulder County Urge Residents to Follow 4Ds:

1. Use Insect Repellent or Enhanced Alternatives to DEET, Including Bite Blocker, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or IR3535. DRESS in long sleeves and pants.
2. Avoid the exterior of DUSK until DAWN.
3. DRAIN stagnant water outside your home.
4. Related: West Nile Virus: Remember "4 Ds", says Broomfield Health Dept.

   

   For more information on West Nile Virus, the activity of mosquitoes in Boulder County or the measures to take www.BoulderCountyMosquito.net.

   Image via Shutterstock

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