West Nile virus in Boulder County related meningoencephalitis claimed the life of a Boulder County resident. This is the first case of the West Nile virus in Boulder County killing a human this year.
West Nile Virus in Boulder County
The prayers are with the family and friends who are grieving the death of a Longmont resident who died as a result of the West Nile virus in Boulder County. An key lesson learned from this unfortunate loss is just how deadly WNV can be. The thoughts are with the victims’ loved ones and friends who died because of the West Nile virus in Boulder County. The community is asked to take precautions of the West Nile virus in Boulder County to lower the risk to themselves and the persons they care about.
In 2023, mosquito populations in Colorado increased significantly and Boulder County was undoubtedly affected that is why the West Nile virus in Boulder County is possibly increase. Public health advises removing any standing water around your home, staying indoors between the hours of dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active and dressing in long sleeves and pants as well as DEET-containing insect repellent when going outside after sunset. 66 have been impacted by West Nile virus in Boulder County in 2023 as of August 22 according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment with 38 cases necessitating hospitalization and three fatalities. West Nile virus in Boulder County often detected around August and September although they can sometimes be found as early as May and as late as December. The mosquito season typically lasts from late April to mid October with the first fall freeze typically indicating its end.
What is West Nile Virus?
Humans contract WNV by the bite of an infected mosquito. Despite the fact that the majority of infections are minor, the more severe ones can result in encephalitis which is an inflammation of the brain or meningitis which is an inflammation of the brain’s lining, as well as blindness, paralysis, coma, tremors and convulsions as well as death. Medical professionals can treat symptoms to make patients feel better and possibly recover more rapidly, but there is no known treatment, cure or human vaccine for WNV. WNV symptoms can infrequently also include skin rashes and enlarged lymph nodes but they typically involve fever, acute exhaustion, headache and body aches. Typically, symptoms start to show three to fourteen days following infection.
