Mesa County’s mosquito population has tested positive for containing the West Nile virus, according to a Wednesday report from Mesa County Public Health.
Mesa joins Weld, Larimer and Delta counties confirming the virus in some of its mosquitoes. Not all counties test for the virus in their mosquito populations.
While both Weld and Larimer had the highest number of West Nile cases last year, neither Delta nor Mesa had a case in 2016, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Although there were 149 reported West Nile cases in Colorado last year, there’s only been one case in 2017, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
As much as 80 percent of people who contract the virus won’t show symptoms, according to the CDC. One in five people will get a fever accompanied by other flu-like symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash.
Mesa County Public Health provided information on controlling mosquitoes’ breeding grounds
- Find and eliminate their breeding sites – standing water. Mosquitoes lay groups of eggs on the surface of water in rain barrels, bird baths, tin cans, old tires, car bodies, cisterns, roof gutters and any other containers that hold water.
- Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers.
- Clean pet water dishes regularly.
- Change the water in bird baths at least once a week.
It also suggests how to protect against mosquitoes:
- Use EPA-approved repellents that include active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR. 3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
- Apply repellents sparingly, only to exposed skin. Saturation does not increase efficacy.
- Wear light colored, loose fitting clothing, and long sleeves and pants, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Avoid applying repellents to portions of children’s hands that are likely to have contact with eyes or mouth.
- Avoid using repellents on wounds or irritated skin and wash repellent-treated skin after coming indoors.
