SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah, Aug. 19, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — The Salt Lake County Health Department has announced the first human case of West Nile virus in the county this year.
“The infected individual is an adult diagnosed with neuroinvasive West Nile virus, a more severe form of the disease, and remains hospitalized,” said a news release from the Health Department.
“Due to medical privacy laws, SLCoHD cannot release additional information about the individual.”
So far this season, the three mosquito abatement districts in Salt Lake County have detected West Nile virus in 21 different mosquito pools around the county, the news release said.
“Mosquito pool” is the term used for a group of mosquitoes caught and tested out of a single trap. It is not related to swimming pools or pools of water.
“There are a growing number of mosquitoes carrying the disease,” said Ilene Risk, SLCoHD epidemiology bureau manager. “It is now especially important that residents protect themselves from mosquito bites, particularly in the hours from dusk to dawn.”
Although only some mosquitoes carry West Nile virus, there is no way for residents to tell which mosquitoes may be infected so it is important to minimize exposure opportunities during mosquito season.
The Health Department advises the following:
- 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 can cause mild to severe illness and many people may not even know they have been infected. It is estimated that less than 1 percent of people infected with the virus will develop neuroinvasive disease, which can result in debilitating long-term complications or death. Symptoms of the virus infection appear within two to 14 days and include fever, headache and body aches. More severe infections may include high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors and muscle weakness or convulsions.
People over age 50 and people with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk of illness due to West Nile virus, but anyone can become ill from the bite of an infected mosquito, the news release said. The virus is not transmissible from person to person.
There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus infection other than to treat symptoms. If you think you have West Nile virus infection, contact your health care provider.
The virus was first detected in the U.S. in 1999 and in Utah in 2003. Last year, public health officials confirmed that 11 people in the state contracted the virus, 1 of whom passed away. Because only 20–30 percent 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 West Nile virus is more prevalent than the reported case numbers indicate.
