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Two residents from Fort Collins and one from Loveland have been confirmed as the first human cases of West Nile virus in Larimer County this summer.
The three residents are recovering at home, according to a news release by the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment.
It’s suspected that two of three cases were likely contracted outside of Larimer County.
However, a mosquito trap in northeast Fort Collins, (near Vine Street and Interstate 25) yielded mosquitoes that have tested positive for the virus. The trap is one of many testing pools used to monitor the county's mosquito population.
The mosquito pools are tested weekly and the northeastern Fort Collins trap is the first to have positive results for West Nile in all of Northern Colorado in 2008. The sample was collected July 15.
July is the usual month that infections start showing in Culex mosquitoes, the type of mosquitoes that transmit West Nile infection to humans. People at the highest risk of suffering serious illness due to the virus are elderly people, transplant recipients, people undergoing cancer treatment, and anyone with a weakened immune system.
However, anybody not adequately protected is at risk of being bit and infected by West Nile virus-carrying mosquitoes.
To prevent West Nile virus, the Health Department recommends:
« Use mosquito repellent proven to be effective against West Nile virus carrying mosquitoes. Use repellents that contain DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (with active ingredient PMD, or p-menthane diol) or IR3535.
« Keep exposed skin covered, especially between dusk and dawn.
« Drain standing water in your yard and garden.
« Add mosquito-eating minnows, or mosquito “dunk” to ornamental ponds featuring still water.
« Keep window screens repaired.
For more tips on West Nile virus prevention or repellent use, go to www.Larimer.org/health or call 498-6700.
The three residents are recovering at home, according to a news release by the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment.
It’s suspected that two of three cases were likely contracted outside of Larimer County.
However, a mosquito trap in northeast Fort Collins, (near Vine Street and Interstate 25) yielded mosquitoes that have tested positive for the virus. The trap is one of many testing pools used to monitor the county's mosquito population.
The mosquito pools are tested weekly and the northeastern Fort Collins trap is the first to have positive results for West Nile in all of Northern Colorado in 2008. The sample was collected July 15.
July is the usual month that infections start showing in Culex mosquitoes, the type of mosquitoes that transmit West Nile infection to humans. People at the highest risk of suffering serious illness due to the virus are elderly people, transplant recipients, people undergoing cancer treatment, and anyone with a weakened immune system.
However, anybody not adequately protected is at risk of being bit and infected by West Nile virus-carrying mosquitoes.
To prevent West Nile virus, the Health Department recommends:
« Use mosquito repellent proven to be effective against West Nile virus carrying mosquitoes. Use repellents that contain DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (with active ingredient PMD, or p-menthane diol) or IR3535.
« Keep exposed skin covered, especially between dusk and dawn.
« Drain standing water in your yard and garden.
« Add mosquito-eating minnows, or mosquito “dunk” to ornamental ponds featuring still water.
« Keep window screens repaired.
For more tips on West Nile virus prevention or repellent use, go to www.Larimer.org/health or call 498-6700.
