Health Officials Expect Active West Nile Season (Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Mosquitoes in some areas of Weld County are carrying West Nile Virus but there were no reported human cases at this moment. In Dallas County however, a resident has been diagnosed with the infection.
The mosquitoes found in traps set in Kersey, LaSalle, Greeley/Evans and the Idaho Creek area of Longmont have tested positive with West Nile Virus. While there are no human cases reported, health officials of the Weld County's Public Health and Environment are warning the residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
According to Deb Adamson, environmental health supervisor at the Weld County Health Department, the result shows that the virus is now in the county for the rest of the summer. The health department is now monitoring the Culex mosquitoes which are carrying the virus.
They have recommended to drain all the stagnant water and made the residents aware that these mosquitoes are active at dusk and dawn to prevent the spread of the infection. They have also encouraged people to wear long sleeves and pants and use insect repellents with DEET, Denver Post reported.
Meanwhile, Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) department reported that a resident has been diagnosed with West Nile fever. It is the county's third confirmed case of the infection for this year's season. The identity of the patient was not released.
The DCHHS said that the first human case of the West Nile Virus in the county was reported in June which involves an Irving resident. Tarrant County health officials on the other hand, confirmed their first human West Nile infection case for this year's season on Wednesday as reported by NBC.
It takes 14 days for the West Nile virus symptoms to appear. Initial symptoms include headache, fever, nausea and vomiting, rash and muscle aches and weakness. However, most infected people do not show any symptom. If any of the symptoms shows, it is recommended to see a doctor immediately.
There is no medication to cure or a vaccine to prevent the infection at this moment. Less than one percent of the infected people were reported to develop a serious, sometime fatal neurological illness.
