With mosquitoes in Weld County testing positive for West Nile virus, officials urge residents to take action to prevent infection.
Weld County officials on Monday announced the first mosquitoes of the year found to be carrying the virus in the county Mosquitoes with the virus have been found in traps in the area including Greeley, Evans, Kersey and LaSalle and in the area including Johnstown, Milliken and Platteville.
The county also monitors for mosquitoes in a third area near Fort Lupton, but mosquitoes trapped there have not yet been found to be carrying the virus.
Colorado’s first cases of mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus this year came early, with a sample of mosquitoes testing positive on June 23 in Larimer County.
As health officials across the state prepare for the height of mosquito season, human infections from mosquito bites will likely emerge.
“The fact that we know there are positive mosquitoes now, means people are at risk for contracting West Nile virus,” said Dr. Daniel Pastula, chief of neuroinfectious disease and global neurology at UCHealth.
In 2024, Weld County had 15 reported cases of human West Nile virus, according to the website. The year before reached 52 cases.
Pastula assured the majority of people — eight out of 10 — infected with West Nile virus will not experience any symptoms. However, about 1 in 5 people who contract the virus may develop “flu-like symptoms, including fever, headaches, body aches, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea and rash,” a UCHealth news release reports.
Roughly 1% of West Nile cases can lead to severe illness affecting the central nervous system, called neuroinvasive disease, where inflammation occurs in and around the brain and spinal cord. Neuroinvasive disease symptons can include “seizures, coma, stroke-like symptoms such as muscle weakness or paralysis, vision loss and confusion,” according to the release. In some cases, these effects can become permanent.
“Among the people who recover from severe West Nile, many do have permanent neurological damage,” Pastula said. “Although it does seem to get somewhat better over time with intensive rehabilitation.”
About 10% of neuroinvasive West Nile cases turn fatal, according to Pastula.
Those most at-risk of severe infections include people 50 and older and those who are immunocompromised or have pre-existing conditions like cancer, diabetes, hypertension or more.
There are no antiviral treatments for West Nile disease or vaccines to prevent it, which means taking precautionary measures to avoid mosquito bites is the best prevention available
Prevention tips
Warm weather and sunshine tend to get more people outside for summer activities, and that outdoors time risks exposure to West Nile virus.
The best mosquito bite prevention tips from Pastula include:
Use insect repellents that contain DEET on exposed skin. For additional ingredients recommended by the EPA, go to epa.gov/insect-repellents Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants while outdoors Avoid outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most active — dusk and dawn Spray clothing with an insecticide called permethrin before spending time outdoors Drain standing water near properties to reduce mosquito breeding sitesUltimately, Pastula advises anyone who doesn’t feel well or develops a fever — after having mosquito bites in the days or weeks prior — to contact a health care provider.
“One of our diseases here during the summer is West Nile,” he said. “If you are worried at all, please talk to your health care provider.”
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