Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile in Arapahoe County
Mosquitoes near the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds tested positive for West Nile virus. Arapahoe County now joins Boulder, Delta, Larimer, and Weld counties with mosquitoes confirmed to be carrying the virus. Because of the wet weather over the past several weeks and reported cases elsewhere, Arapahoe County had already begun treating the Fairgrounds with insecticide prior to the positive West Nile virus test result.
Humans, birds, horses and other mammals can be exposed to West Nile virus via a bite from an infected mosquito. While symptoms in people infected with the virus are typically mild, there are steps you should take to limit exposure to the virus:
- Wear DEET-containing insect repellant
- Stay indoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active
- Wear clothes to protect against mosquitos such as long-sleeves and pants
- Drain standing water sources including puddles, gutters, flowerpots, tires, pool covers, boats, and tarps
Symptoms generally appear 2 to 14 days after exposure, with 1 in 5 people developing:
- Fever
- Body aches
- Headache
- Occasionally skin rashes and swollen lymph nodes
Less than 1% of people infected with West Nile Virus will develop severe symptoms that affect the nervous system. Severe symptoms include:
- Headache
- Coma
- High fever
- Tremors
- Neck stiffness
- Muscle weakness
- Confusion and disorientation
- Paralysis
Mild symptoms of West Nile virus infection usually pass on their own. More information is available on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s website.
