West Nile virus was detected in a great horned owl nestling in south Weld County, public health authorities said Friday.
The bird was picked up April 8 at Weld County roads 13 and 26 north of Firestone.
It tested positive for the virus but survived the infection and appears healthy.
West Nile virus is carried by birds and transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that bite the infected birds.
The mosquito that bit the owl was probably in the same nesting area and the bite most likely happened on a warm day when the hibernating mosquito woke up for food, said Gaye Morrison, spokeswoman for the county’s health department.
State health authorities say the detection of the virus in the owl is not a reliable predictor of how many humans will be infected this year, Morrison said.
People older than 50 are most susceptible to the more severe forms of the disease.
Symptoms of West Nile include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and rash.
More severe cases can lead to stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, muscle weakness, vision loss and paralysis.
Authorities said the risk of contracting the disease remains low, but the owl is a reminder that people should use mosquito repellent and wear long sleeves and long pants when they are outside.
Larimer County led the nation with 546 confirmed cases of West Nile in 2003, along with nine deaths.
Last year, Larimer County had 19 cases and no deaths as the disease spread west to Arizona and California.
The Weld County Department of Public Health will continue to test dead birds this week, specifically crows, magpies and bluejays.
Mosquito trapping will begin in late May.
Anyone with questions about testing, or who has found a dead bird, may call the Colorado Helpline at 1-877-462-2911.
Staff writer Felisa Cardona can be reached at 303-820-1219 or fcardona@denverpost.com.
