PROVO, Utah, Aug. 26, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Officials at the Utah County Health Department have reported the county’s first confirmed human case of West Nile Virus of the season.
“The patient is a female resident of Utah County and was diagnosed with West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease (WNND),” says a UCHD statement issued Monday. “To protect privacy and confidentiality, UCHD will not release personal information about the patient.”
Eric Edwards, UCHD executive director, says the virus is transmitted to humans by bites from infected mosquitoes.
“People should take extra caution when enjoying outdoor activities,” Edwards said in the news release. “Follow the ‘Ds’ to avoid mosquito bites.”
Those “Ds” are detailed below:
DOOR: Door and window screens should be in good working condition. WNV is a disease that is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes can become infected when they feed on the blood of infected birds. The infected mosquitoes can then transmit WNV to humans and animals. Severe WNV infections can cause neurologic complications such as encephalitis.
Milder symptoms include fever, headache, and muscle aches. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for WNV. For more information, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/west-nile-virus/index.html or https://health.utahcounty.gov/mosquito-abatement/.
DRAIN: Drain or treat all standing water in and around your home or workplace where mosquitoes could lay eggs.
DAWN and DUSK: Limit your time outdoors during these times when mosquitoes are most active. Dawn and dusk are times to avoid being outside.
DEET: Whenever you’re outside, use insect repellents that contain DEET or other EPA-approved repellents and follow instructions.
DRESS: Wear long, loose, and light-colored clothing when outdoors.
