Boulder County Mosquitos Test Positive For West Nile Virus

BOULDER COUNTY, CO — Mosquitos in Boulder County have tested positive for the West Nile virus, health officials confirmed. The mosquitos were found in traps near Coal Creek Golf Course and Coal Creek Trail in Louisville, Original Town in Superior, and Isaak Walton Park and St. Vrain Greenway in Longmont, according to Boulder County Public Health.

The virus is transmitted to humans from the bite of an infected mosquito. While most infections are mild, the more serious infections can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and/or meningitis (inflammation of the brain's lining), loss of vision, paralysis, coma, tremors, convulsions and death.

Symptoms of the West Nile virus include fever, extreme fatigue, headache and body aches. The virus can also include skin rashes and swollen lymph nodes. Generally, symptoms appear 3-14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Anyone who experiences the symptoms should consult their health care provider, health officials said.

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The vector index, which describes the relative risk of West Nile virus transmission, is 0.21 for Zone 3 (Superior and Louisville combined) and 0.20 for Zone 2 (Longmont). The index shows the total number of mosquitoes in a trap area and the proportion of which are infected with the virus. Emergency spraying may be recommended when the vector index reaches 0.75 or higher.

There is no treatment, cure or human vaccination for the virus. Health care providers can only treat the symptoms to help patients feel better and possibly recover more quickly.

Marshall Lipps, a Boulder County Public Health environmental health specialist, said that "recent high temperatures and standing water have created the ideal environment for mosquitos to breed.”

“Even though it can be inconvenient, taking steps to protect ourselves and loved ones is the best thing we can all do to prevent becoming very ill," Lipps said.

No Boulder County residents have tested positive for West Nile virus this season, health officials said.

The county has offered the following tips for protection against the virus:

1. Use DEET-enhanced insect repellent or alternatives, including Bite Blocker, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or IR3535.
2. Dress in long sleeves and pants.
3. Avoid the outdoors from dusk until dawn.
4. Drain standing water outside your home.