AURORA | Colorado’s first 2024 case of the mosquito-borne West Nile virus has been confirmed in Arapahoe County, according to a county news release.
Spread mostly through the bites of infected mosquitoes, the virus has the potential to cause a fever, headaches, body aches and rashes. In less than 1% of cases, patients may develop life-threatening neurological symptoms such as meningitis, swelling of the brain and paralysis.
“While we know that West Nile virus is endemic to Colorado — meaning we expect to see some cases each year — we never quite know how many to expect or just how bad a season will be,” Arapahoe County Public Health communicable disease epidemiology manager Melissa Adair said in the June 26 release.
“What this first case confirms for us, however, is that West Nile virus is present in our mosquito population, and as mosquito numbers increase, the risk of West Nile virus will, too.”
Arapahoe County provided few details about the case, and spokesperson Anders Nelson said in an email that the county could not disclose the infected person’s city of residence.
The news release notes that warmer nights and fewer storms could fuel an increase in mosquito activity. Colorado usually sees its first West Nile virus infection in the late summer months, and county officials cited the early appearance of the virus this year as a cause for concern.
Residents can reduce their risk of infection by staying indoors at dawn and dusk; keeping windows closed and using well-fitted windowscreens; avoiding spending time around lakes, ponds and other sources of standing water; eliminating sources of standing water around the home; wearing clothing that covers exposed skin and using insect repellents approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, such as sprays that include DEET.
Symptoms generally appear between two and 14 days after exposure, and people over the age of 60 are at a higher risk of developing severe symptoms.
While milder cases of the disease tend to clear up on their own, the county encourages residents who believe they are experiencing neurological symptoms to contact a health care provider and call Arapahoe County Public Health at 303-734-4379.
According to the news release, 2023 was Colorado’s worst year in terms of West Nile virus infections in 20 years, with 631 cases, 383 hospitalizations and 50 deaths reported across 40 counties, including 56 cases in Arapahoe County.
Between 2018 and 2022, just 636 cases of the virus were reported statewide.
EMPTY ANYTHING HOLDING/POOLING STAGNANT WATER.
At a garage sale I found dozens of terracotta and other pots full of stagnant rain water.
Each containedozens, maybe hundreds, of mosquito larvæ.
I helped the woman empty her pots and place them upside down. Rounded pots on their sides could still collect rain water.
We have a round decorative terracotta pot on itside which can hold water. Frequently I empty it. Now to gout and check it. Sprinkler system water may pool in it.