West Nile cases in Larimer County jump beyond what's typical for an entire season
Larimer County is seeing a big surge in human West Nile virus cases and reporting more cases than any other county in Colorado, according to the county's health department.
As of Thursday, there were 25 cases reported this season, according to a news release from the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment. That's 10 more cases than all of last year and two more than the average since 2013.
Seven of the 25 have been hospitalized, "most with neuroinvasive disease for which there is no treatment other than supportive care," the county reported.
Since the first human case of West Nile this season was announced in late July, health officials have been warning it is shaping up to be a more severe season for the virus.
A wet spring allowed more Culex mosquitoes to breed, and the first human case in Larimer was reported a month earlier than what is typical. Culex mosquitoes are the type that carry West Nile virus.
“Larimer County typically does not see a peak in human West Nile cases until late August, early September," Tom Gonzales, Larimer County's public health director, said. "Unfortunately, we will likely continue to see cases and hospitalizations rise."
Where in the county are the cases occurring?
The majority of cases are being reported in Fort Collins residents, followed by Loveland and the Larimer County part of Windsor, said Kori Wilford, spokesperson for the health department.
Some towns have only one case, and she wouldn't name them to avoid sharing data that might identify individuals.
How many cases are there across the state?
The state of Colorado tracks West Nile virus cases on its website, which hasn't been updated since Aug. 11 as of Friday afternoon. In their report, they showed eight human cases in Larimer County, still the most out of the state's 36 cases. Nineteen of them required hospitalization.
One person has died in the state due to West Nile virus, a Weld County resident.
Other counties reporting West Nile virus in humans, as of Aug. 11:
Weld: 7
Denver: 3
Arapahoe: 3
Adams: 2
Morgan: 2
Boulder: 2
El Paso: 2
Pueblo: 2
Jefferson: 1
Arapahoe: 1
Fremont: 1
Mesa: 1
Delta: 1
La Plata: 1
More: Fort Collins plans fifth round of mosquito spraying to tamp down West Nile virus concerns
Last year in the state, there were 206 reported human cases of West Nile virus, including 20 deaths, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
What you can do to reduce mosquitoes and their bites
Culex mosquitoes can lay eggs in as little water as in a water bottle cap. Drain items such as bird baths, containers and kiddie pools.
Use DEET or other effective mosquito repellent.
Avoid exposure during peak Culex mosquito feeding times, which are dusk through dawn.
Wear long sleeves and pants to reduce skin exposure.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: West Nile cases in Larimer County jump beyond seasonal average
