Eleven new cases of West Nile virus infections were reported Tuesday, all in eastern Colorado counties, as the state heads for another dangerous year, health officials said.
While no deaths associated with the mosquito-borne virus have been reported yet, Colorado has already seen 52 cases going into what’s considered the “peak” season for West Nile.
“We’ve not confirmed any deaths this year, but suspect that with the case totals we’ve had thus far that we will probably get a death reported eventually,” said John Pape, epidemiologist for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “Our peak concern is the first of July through the middle of August, but we’ll continue to have infected mosquitoes and people infected well into mid-September and October.”
Larimer County, which has one of the highest infection rates this year among Colorado counties, reported two new cases found in blood donations. The donations, given Friday, tested positive for the virus.
As of Tuesday, 12 West Nile cases have been confirmed in Larimer, and nine additional patients were being investigated, not including the two recent blood donors, officials said.
Blood donors are the best indicator of recent human infection, as the virus is present in the blood for only a few days after being infected by a mosquito bite, county health officials said.
Typically, the virus has an incubation period of up to two weeks before flu-like symptoms become apparent. Officials theorized that many of the new cases reported Tuesday were probably from people bitten by infected mosquitoes in early July.
Colorado’s deadliest year on record for West Nile-related deaths is 2003, when 63 people died from the disease. Almost 3,000 cases were reported that year.
Most people infected with West Nile virus feel no symptoms, but some fall sick with flu-like symptoms. Rarely, the virus triggers a deadly infection of the brain, health officials say.
“Our surveillance has shown that in eastern Colorado, especially around the northern Front Range, we’re heading into a pretty active year,” Pape said.
Staff writer Manny Gonzales can be reached at 303-954-1537 or mgonzales@denverpost.com.
—————————————-
About the disease
Caused by: a virus
People are infected by: female Culex mosquitoes
Also infects: birds and horses
Human symptoms: Most people infected have no symptoms; fever and headache, rarely progressing to severe fever, disorientation, tremors and coma.
Prevention: Limit outside activity at dawn and dusk; wear protective clothing and insect repellent; drain standing water.
