A 39-year-old resident of LaPorte has the first confirmed case of the West Nile virus in Larimer County in 2010, the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment said today.
Dr. Adrienne LeBailly, director of the department, said the woman became ill in early June with symptoms consistent with the West Nile fever. LeBailly said tests confirmed that she had the virus.
The woman was not hospitalized and is recovering at home.
LeBailly noted that last week a West Nile case was confirmed in Weld County, which is adjacent to Larimer County.
The Weld County West Nile victim was also a woman, who is also recovering at home.
“Though we have not yet seen infection in trapped mosquitoes in Larimer County so far this year, the fact that two people have become ill from the virus confirms that the virus is circulating in northern Colorado,” said LeBailly.
She said that individuals and families should take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
West Nile is carried by some birds and transmitted to people by mosquitoes that have bitten the carriers. Cool, wet weather in the spring followed by hot summer weather increases the mosquito population and the risk of the disease.
At the highest risk of serious illness from the West Nile virus are the elderly, transplant recipients, people undergoing cancer treatment or anyone with a weakened immune system.
To protect against mosquito bites, the health department recommends the use of mosquito repellents containing DEET, Picaridin and oil of lemon. People should keep exposed skin covered, drain standing water and keep window screens repaired.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
