SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah, July 31, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — A day after Draper City officials confirmed positive West Nile Virus mosquito pools found there and in Riverton, the Salt Lake County Health Department is advising residents can “expect additional mosquito pools to test positive in coming days and weeks.
“Because mosquitoes can travel several miles, everyone in the region — regardless of their exact location — should take precautions against mosquito bites to avoid exposure to the virus,” the SLCoHD statement says.
Vigilance is important.
“There will be a growing number of mosquitoes carrying the disease, so it is now especially important that Utahns protect themselves from mosquito bites, particularly in the hours from dusk to dawn,” said Andrea Price, SLCoHD epidemiologist.
People age 50 and older and people with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk of illness due to WNV, but anyone can become ill from the bite of an infected mosquito. WNV is not transmissible from person to person.
Because mosquitoes can travel several miles, everyone in the region — regardless of their exact location — should take precautions against mosquito bites to avoid exposure to the virus.
Although only some mosquitoes carry WNV, there is no way for residents to tell which mosquitoes may be infected so it is important to minimize all exposure opportunities during mosquito season, which will continue until the first hard freeze, the statement says.
The SLCoHD suggests the following lessen exposure to mosquitos:
- Use an EPA-registered mosquito repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus; follow package directions about application.
- After dusk, wear long sleeves and pants.
- Drain standing water in yards (old tires, potted plant trays, pet dishes, toys, buckets, etc.).
- Keep roof gutters clear of debris.
- Clean and stock garden ponds with mosquito-eating fish or mosquito dunks.
- Ensure door and window screens are in good condition so mosquitoes cannot get inside.
- Keep weeds and tall grass cut short; adult mosquitoes look for these shady places to rest during the hot daylight hours.
West Nile Virus (WNV) can cause mild to severe illness and many people may not even know they have been infected. It is estimated that less than 1% of people infected with WNV will develop the neuroinvasive form of the disease, which can result in debilitating long-term complications or death.
Symptoms of WNV infection appear within two to 14 days of a mosquito bite, and include fever, headache and body aches. More severe infections may include high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors and muscle weakness or convulsions.
There is no specific treatment for WNV infection other than to treat symptoms. If you think you have WNV infection, contact your healthcare provider, the SLCoHD advises.
WNV was first detected in the U.S. in 1999 and in Utah in 2003. Last year, public health officials confirmed that eight people in the state contracted the virus; five of those resulted in the neuroinvasive form of the disease and one person died.
Because only 20–30% of infected people will have any symptoms at all — and many of those will notice only minor, flu-like symptoms — it’s likely that infection with WNV is more prevalent than the reported case numbers indicate, the SLCoHD says.
