So far, mosquitoes collected in Larimer and Denver counties have tested positive for the virus, but as the case in Mesa County shows, the virus can be present without the proof of a positive test.
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Milder cases include symptoms such as a fever, headache, body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph glands.
Remove temporary pools of water around your house and yard.
On Wednesday, public health officials announced that Colorado’s first diagnosed human case of West Nile had been detected in Mesa County.
The spraying was scheduled earlier this week after the county Health Department found Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus in a mosquito pool in the Cicero Swamp area, but weather forced the treatment to be pushed back twice. It is the first sign of the unsafe virus in Kane County this year.
We don’t have West Nile virus this summer in Ohio – yet.
The primary way people get the virus is when someone is bitten by an infected mosquito. Reducing mosquito habitat around the home by dumping standing or stagnant water from old buckets, cans, flower pots, or old tires, and changing water in birdbaths, pet dishes, and water troughs at least twice a week are also effective ways to reduce the chances of being bitten.
Install or fix screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside. Most of those who are infected will have no symptoms. Floodwater species such as aedes vexans can become extremely abundant under such conditions.
Both the Eastside and Turlock Mosquito Abatement districts can treat mosquito habitats using ground and aerial spray equipment.
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In Greater Cincinnati, rainfall since June 1 is 4.63 inches over the normal 5.1-inch accumulation, and more rain is forecast for the coming week. The districts also provide mosquito fish, free of charge, to put in ornamental ponds and other backyard locations. Californians are encouraged to report dead birds on the website or by calling toll-free 1-877-WNV-BIRD (968-2473). Birds of particular interest are crows, ravens, magpies, jays and raptors (hawk or eagle).
