Moab, first city of Utah to report West Nile virus in mosquitoes this year

MOAB – Officials have found mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus in Moab.

The virus was detected in mosquitoes collected on July 2 by the Moab Mosquito Control District. The city received positive results on Thursday, according to a statement from Moab officials.

The mosquitoes came from the Scott M. Matheson Wetland Reserve.

To prevent infections, city officials reminded residents and visitors to wear long-sleeved clothing, long pants and anti-mosquito products containing DEET at night. Residents should also remove any stagnant water from their yard.

Moab is the first city in Utah to report mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus. In late June, the Utah Department of Health warned that even though Utah had never seen mosquitoes infected with the virus before, the rainy spring meant "that will definitely change. "

"In years like this where we have a lot of stagnant water, we are getting new habitats that may not have known each other before," said Ary Faraji, director of the Salt Lake Mosquito Reduction District. City, end of June. statement from the state health department.

Most people with the virus do not develop symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But about 1 in 5 develop headaches, body aches, joint pain and other symptoms. One in 150 develops severe symptoms, including high fever, stupor, disorientation and tremors, says the CDC.

According to the CDC, people over 60 and those with pre-existing conditions such as cancer and diabetes are the most at risk.

Eleven Utahns contracted the virus last year, and one of them died, according to the Utah Department of Health.

Horses and other animals are more exposed to the virus, according to Moab's statement, which encouraged residents to vaccinate their horses.

The virus often kills crows, crows, magpies, jays, hawks, eagles and owls, City officials said. Residents who find a bird acting "sick" or "for no apparent reason" are encouraged to call the Moab Mosquito Reduction District at 435-259-7161 to help the district track the scale of the outbreak. Viral activity.