Boulder County Public Health on Friday reported a Boulder resident has contracted West Nile virus and is hospitalized with meningitis.
The resident, who is in their 70s, reported extensive gardening in their backyard and received multiple mosquito bites while gardening, according to a news release.
The Boulder resident is the second person in the state to test positive for the virus, according to Boulder County Public Health.
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans from the bite of infected mosquitoes. While most infections are mild, the more serious infections can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and/or meningitis (inflammation of the brain's lining), loss of vision, paralysis, coma, tremors, convulsions, and death., according to the release.
Symptoms of West Nile virus, which generally appear three to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito, typically include fever, extreme fatigue, headache, body aches, but can occasionally also include skin rashes and swollen lymph nodes, according to Boulder County Public Health.
There is no treatment, cure, or human vaccination for the virus, but health care providers can treat symptoms to help patients feel better and possibly recover more quickly, the health department stated.
While everyone is at risk of being infected with West Nile virus, those older than 50 or with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of developing serious illness, and anyone who experiences symptoms should consult their health care provider, according to the release.
In Colorado, most West Nile virus cases are diagnosed in August and September, and the mosquito season generally extends from late April until mid-October, with the end usually signaled by the first freeze in the fall, the health department stated.
"This time of year is when we see the most people become ill from the disease,” Heather Marshall, Boulder County Public Health epidemiologist, said in the release. “We all need to continue to be diligent about protecting ourselves from mosquito bites.”
Boulder County Public Health on Monday announced that mosquitoes in Superior, Louisville, and Longmont have tested positive for West Nile virus. The positive mosquito pools came from traps near Izaak Walton Park and St. Vrain Greenway in Longmont, Coal Creek Golf Course and Coal Creek Trail in Louisville, and Original Town in Superior, according to a news release.
In Longmont, spraying for mosquitos has been occurring in predetermined “hotspot” zones. The spraying, which is conducted on Thursdays, is done by contractor Vector Disease Control International.
Spraying occurs when the number of mosquitos in area traps exceeds 150 and when West Nile virus has been detected in the Longmont area, according to the city. A map of predetermined spray areas can be viewed at LongmontColorado.gov/westnile.
Notice of spraying is posted Tuesdays at LongmontColorado.gov/westnile. Residents also can sign up to be alerted when spraying will take place by using the city’s eNotification subscription page.
Longmont residents can request notifications and shutoffs when spraying is planned near their properties by calling Vector Disease Control at 970-278-9977 or visiting vdci.net/colorado. Three options are available: To receive a call before spraying takes place; to have the spray machine shut off when it passes their property, or to receive notification and have the machine shut off as it passes.
To further protect them from West Nile virus, Boulder County Public Health officials urge residents to observe the 4Ds:
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Use DEET-enhanced insect repellent or alternatives, including Bite Blocker, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or IR3535.
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Dress in long sleeves and pants.
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Avoid the outdoors from dusk until dawn.
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Drain standing water outside of homes.
For more information about West Nile virus and mosquito activity in Boulder County, visit BoulderCountyMosquito.net.
