West Nile virus has been present in Boulder County.
Boulder County Public Well being confirmed that, final week, mosquitoes trapped on the east facet of Niwot examined optimistic for West Nile. No different testing websites returned optimistic outcomes.
West Nile virus most frequently causes gentle infections, however can, in some instances, change into extra severe, resulting in encephalitis, meningitis, imaginative and prescient loss, paralysis or demise.
Though the West Nile mosquito numbers are low, any threat of transmission is price taking precautions, BCPH mentioned.
“We’ve seen low numbers of mosquitoes thus far, however we count on them to extend because the season goes on,” Marshall Lipps, environmental well being specialist at Boulder County Public Well being, wrote in a launch. “Nonetheless, West Nile virus transmission threat nonetheless exists in Boulder County and surrounding areas, and we encourage the group to take private precautions to forestall mosquito bites. Discovering a optimistic mosquito in a single location doesn’t imply the chance is proscribed to that space. West Nile virus can nonetheless be current wherever throughout the county.”
Boulder County residents are inspired to make use of insect repellent with DEET, put on lengthy pants and sleeves, restrict exercise throughout nighttime hours and take away standing water from their property.
West Nile signs embody fever, fatigue, physique aches and typically rash or swollen lymph nodes. These experiencing any of these signs are inspired to contact their well being care supplier, BCPH mentioned.