Denver – The first two human cases of West Nile disease in Colorado have been confirmed by the state health department.
This afternoon, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced that a 50-year-old Weld County woman developed a fever on May 24th. She was not hospitalized. A 17-year-old boy from Fort Collins became ill on June 5th. He was hospitalized briefly.
“West Nile virus now will be found each year in Colorado,” said department executive director Douglas H. Benevento, in a statement.
Colorado is the third state to report human cases of West Nile this year. Kansas has two confirmed cases and South Dakota has three, according to the health department.
A total of 291 human cases of West Nile virus, including four deaths, were reported in Colorado in 2004. This represented a sharp downturn from the first full season of West Nile virus in Colorado in 2003, when there were 2,947 confirmed cases of the disease and 63 deaths.
“The good news is that it is preventable,” said Benevento.
“A first case of West Nile virus is an opportunity to take precautions to protect yourself against the disease,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of using mosquito repellent containing DEET, especially over the upcoming July 4th weekend.
West Nile virus is carried by birds and transmitted by mosquitos that have bitten the birds.
The health department offered the following tips to help humans avoid West Nile.
Avoid outdoor activities, such as gardening, at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
If outside during the periods when mosquitoes are most active, cover up by wearing long-sleeved shirts, pants, shoes and socks.
Use mosquito repellents with DEET. Products with 10 percent or less DEET are recommended for children.
Eliminate standing water in tires or similar water-holding containers as these may serve as mosquito breeding sites. Change the water in birdbaths, empty tires or flower pots, at least weekly.
