Health officials and researchers in Colorado are raising concerns about the continued prevalence of the West Nile virus in mosquitoes, following the death of a 71-year-old in Denver. This marks the 11th death from the virus in the state this month.
The 71-year-old who died has been confirmed to have been infected with the West Nile virus. The increasing number of deaths has led health experts and virus researchers to sound the alarm about this ongoing threat.
Brian Foy, a professor of microbiology, immunology, and pathology at Colorado State University, expressed his concerns about the situation. He mentioned that the vector index for West Nile has been higher than ever before this month, which is a worrying sign. Foy also noted that the high levels of the virus cannot be solely attributed to the wet weather this year, as last year’s dry weather also resulted in high levels of infection.
The first confirmed West Nile death in Denver is also worrying to medical professionals. Aaron Carlson, a nurse practitioner, emphasized that the virus never truly goes away and its symptoms can easily be mistaken for common viral illnesses. He advised people over the age of 60 or with medical conditions or weakened immune systems to seek medical care promptly if they experience symptoms.
In the lab, Foy and his team are exploring various methods to control West Nile. They are conducting trials, such as treating bird seed with drugs that could potentially prevent West Nile transmission among birds. Foy also mentioned the possibility of developing a vaccine for birds to further control the spread of the virus.
August and September are the months with the highest number of West Nile cases in Colorado. The recent deaths have been reported in multiple counties, including Denver, Jefferson, Larimer, Boulder, Weld, Pueblo, and La Plata.
To prevent West Nile infection, experts recommend following the four D’s: avoiding outdoor activities during dusk and dawn, wearing long sleeves and pants, removing standing water around homes, and using insect repellent with DEET.
As the concern over the West Nile virus continues to grow, Denver7 encourages readers to share any further information or stories they would like the news outlet to cover.