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The Utah Department of Health is worried Utahns have become apathetic to West Nile. They raised a red flag today urging residents to be very careful over the next six weeks.
The state has only had one human case so far this year, but the critical time for West Nile is really late July and all of August.
We can only hope birds are gradually becoming immune to the virus and the number of mosquitoes that carry it have dwindled a bit. But state health department says this is not the time to let your guard down.
JoDee Summers, epidemiologist for the Utah Department of Health, says, "We did see last year that a lot of people came down with the neuro-invasive illness that were healthy, young adults, that we're not exactly sure why it affected them that way."
West Nile can make you very sick, and for some, the effects of the illness can linger a long time. "We have people who have long-term health effects, such as people who have trouble walking, people who have trouble remembering things, people who have a lot of confusion, disorientation, things like that, that can happen the rest of their lives," Summers says.
Not all people bitten by an infected mosquito will get sick, but the state health department says it's not worth the risk, especially when preventive measures are not that difficult.
Children over the age of two months and adults should use a repellant containing DEET when outside at dusk to dawn.
If possible, wear long sleeves and long pants. The weather is dry, but you should still keep an eye out for water-filled containers, troughs and tree holes around your yard that could provide a breeding pool for mosquitoes.
She says, "Not every mosquito carries West Nile virus, but the mosquitoes that do, they're still around. They may be less in number, but you could still be the one that gets bitten. So that's why it's very important not to be complacent about taking care of yourself and watching out for it because you just never know how the year's going to pan out."
Pioneer Day is coming up next week. Some will make a weekend of it, spending a lot of time outdoors. State health officials say take precautions. The campaign is not over. It's still "Fight the Bite."
E-mail: eyeates@ksl.com
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