Mosquitoes in Salt Lake, Davis, Weber and Tooele counties have tested positive for West Nile Virus, 14 more mosquito pools and 4 dead birds have tested positive for WNV.
The confirmation of the County’s first West Nile virus (WNV) positive human infections within the county and the state, the District received confirmation that 14 more mosquito pools and 4 dead birds have tested positive for WNV according to report.
West Nile virus (WNV) is an infection that is most commonly spread by being bitten by an infected mosquito. In rare cases, WNV can lead to serious complications and even death. This infection is found worldwide and may occur during late summer and early fall in the United States.
The most common cause is being bitten by a mosquito that is infected with WNV. There are other, rarer causes, such having a blood transfusion with infected blood.
Rebecca Ward, a health educator said that people should not be alarmed. West Nile virus activity is typical this time of year.
“We know that it is present in the mosquitos, but we do not have any human cases, (and) we don’t have any horses or other animals either that have been infected,” she added.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, only about 1 in 5 people who are infected will develop a fever and less than 1% will develop a serious, sometimes fatal, neurologic illness. People should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites include: Avoid outdoor activity when mosquitoes are most active, from dawn to dusk, when outdoors wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts when possible, use mosquito repellent and ensure that window screens are in place and in good repair .
“Since there is no treatment or vaccine for infections with WNV, the best precaution is to avoid mosquito bites,” vector control officials said.
