UTAH COUNTY, Utah, Aug. 1, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — Utah County officials have detected mosquitoes with the West Nile Virus in water in the south Provo/north Springville area.
The Utah County Health Department (UCHD) is urging people to take precautionary measures to avoid West Nile Virus exposure.
“While Utah County does not currently have any confirmed human cases of West Nile Virus, this is a great reminder to residents of the importance of taking steps to protect themselves from mosquitoes,” Eric Edwards, Deputy Director of UCHD, said in a prepared statement.
The department recommended remembering the following “Ds” to limit mosquito exposure:
- DAWN and DUSK are times to avoid being outside
- DRESS appropriately by wearing long sleeves and pants when outside
- DEFEND yourself by using insect repellent with DEET
- DOOR and window screens should be in good working condition
- DISTRICT personnel are available to address mosquito concerns. Call 801-851-7637 or fill out a service request form online at: http://goo.gl/Yi1yKs.
Utah County’s Mosquito Abatement Department sets traps each week throughout the county to monitor the mosquito population. Those mosquitoes (Culex genre) that have the potential of carrying West Nile Virus and other arboviral virus (Western Equine Encephalitis or Saint Louis Encephalitis) are separated and tested to see if these viruses are present.
To date, Utah County has tested 792 standing-water mosquito pools with only one positive pool detected.
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 WNV will develop severe infection, which can result in debilitating long-term complications or death.
Symptoms of WNV appear within three to 14 days and include fever, headache and body aches. Severe infections may include high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors and convulsions.
