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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- As Utah residents begin celebrating a three-day weekend that includes the state's Pioneer Day holiday, health officials were warning of increased detections of West Nile virus Friday.
The virus has been detected in five more counties, brining the statewide total to ten, the Utah Department of Heath said Friday. There are 29 counties in Utah.
"When added to the already existing mosquito pools, wild birds and sentinel chickens that have tested positive, the risk of infection to humans becomes much greater," said Sam Dickson, Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District manager.
Mosquito abatement officers in the Salt Lake City area have found 14 more mosquito pools that tested positive for the virus, the Salt Lake Valley Heath Department said.
The virus has now been detected in Duchesne, Emery, Salt Lake, Utah, Washington, Davis, Weber, Juab, Millard and Uintah counties.
State health officials announced the state's first human West Nile virus case on Wednesday. The virus was found in a Utah County resident between the ages of 18 to 39. The person was not hospitalized and has recovered. The virus was detected when the person donated blood.
People are urged to take precautions if they are outdoors between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
Wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and using repellents that contain DEET are also recommended.
Most people infected with the virus do not show any symptoms. About one in five will have flu-like symptoms. In rare cases, the virus can cause more severe illnesses affecting the brain and spinal cord or even death. The very young and very old are most susceptible.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
