August 28, 2023 |
Photo – Mosquito – Bigfoot99 file photo
Residents who spend a large portion of their time outdoors should be aware that neighboring Sweetwater County has four confirmed animal cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) but there are no human cases have been detected there.
According to a press release from the Sweetwater County District Board of Health, there has been an overall large increase in the detection of WNV in mosquitoes, animals and humans throughout the state.
“Earlier this month, we shared the Wyoming Department of Health’s article advocating mosquito protection due to the higher-than-usual number of mosquito pools within Wyoming testing positive for West Nile Virus,” the press release states.
The number of West Nile Virus infections among Colorado residents, for instance, is running higher in the Fort Collins area than elsewhere in the state. As of late last week, more than 1,000 cases and one death had been reported Larimer County. Two people reportedly died from the bites.
Authorities stated that one of the reasons why West Nile Virus infections are three-to-four times higher in the Fort Collins area than other areas of Colorado is that rivers and agriculture create more standing water. The mosquitoes don’t live in the river but in the canals and flooded fields: anywhere water pools.
According to the Wyoming Department of Health, West Nile Virus first appeared here in the Cowboy State in 2002. Reported annual cases in humans have ranged from one with no deaths last year to 393 cases and nine deaths in 2003.
West Nile Virus is spread by the Culex genus of mosquitoes. An infected mosquito can transfer the virus during feeding. Dodging mosquito bites remains your best defense against contracting the illness. Common advice is to wear long pants and long sleeve shirts outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk, which are generally the most active times for the biting bugs.
The virus can infect horses, birds, and in some cases, humans. Human cases are generally asymptomatic but can be more severe in elderly and immunocompromised individuals.
