The first two people to contract the West Nile virus in Colorado this year are a 50-year-old Weld County woman and a 17- year-old Fort Collins male, according to officials.
Both cases were confirmed Wednesday. The Weld County woman developed West Nile virus fever on May 24 but was not hospitalized. The 17-year-old became ill on June 5 and was hospitalized briefly.
Health officials say the disease’s arrival is about on schedule compared with the last two years. But people and doctors are recognizing it earlier, said John Pape, epidemiologist with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
“Back in 2003, we didn’t confirm cases until the second or third week of July,” Pape said. “Now that West Nile is on the radar screen, people are more likely to be tested for it.”
People still need to be reminded West Nile is here to stay and they should use precautions, said Douglas Benevento, health department executive director.
West Nile is carried by birds and transmitted by mosquitoes that bite the birds. Regularly using repellent containing DEET is the most effective way to avoid mosquito bites, he said.
Colorado is the third state to report human cases of West Nile this year. Two cases were reported earlier this month in Kansas, and three cases were recently reported in South Dakota.
A total of 291 human cases of West Nile, including four deaths, was reported in Colorado in 2004. The first full season of West Nile in Colorado, in 2003, saw 2,947 confirmed cases and 63 deaths.
Staff writer Monte Whaley can be reached at 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com.
