A 53-year-old in northern Colorado died after contracting West Nile virus, marking the state’s first dying from the virus this yr, Weld County officers introduced Friday.
As of Friday afternoon, Colorado well being officers have documented 12 instances of the mosquito-borne virus and three hospitalizations from the virus to this point in 2023, based on knowledge from the Colorado Division of Public Well being and Surroundings.
Larimer and Weld county officers have documented three instances every, whereas Boulder, Adams, Arapahoe, El Paso, Delta and La Plata counties have every documented one case.
In response to a Friday information launch from the Weld County Division of Public Well being and Surroundings, the resident was hospitalized and died from neuroinvasive signs, a uncommon complication of the illness.
In response to the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, Colorado had essentially the most West Nile instances within the nation final yr with 204 instances and 18 deaths from the virus. In 2021, Colorado had the second most instances of any state.
Solely 20% of individuals bitten by mosquitoes carrying the virus will develop signs — together with fever, complications, physique aches, pores and skin rashes and swollen lymph glands, based on the Facilities for Illness Management.
Whereas most individuals contaminated with the virus don’t get sick, signs for individuals who do seem between two and 14 days after an infection.
About one in 150 people who find themselves contaminated develop a extreme sickness or life-threatening signs, together with excessive fevers, tremors and convulsions, muscle weak point, paralysis and irritation of the mind and spinal twine.
Lower than 1% of individuals with West Nile instances die, based on the CDC.
In response to Friday’s information launch from Weld County, eight investigations of West Nile in county residents have been performed. The residents who examined constructive aren’t simply from one space — the virus will be contracted from anyplace contaminated mosquitos reside and breed.
Because the mosquito season continues, well being division investigators anticipate elevated human infections.
Within the launch, well being officers suggested residents to empty standing water weekly, restrict out of doors actions round nightfall and daybreak, gown in lengthy sleeves and pants in areas the place mosquitos are energetic and use DEET-based insect repellents.
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