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SALT LAKE CITY — Mosquitoes in four counties have tested positive for West Nile virus, according to the Utah Department of Health.
No human cases of West Nile virus have been reported yet, but health officials found mosquitoes carrying the virus in Salt Lake, Davis, Weber and Tooele counties.
Rebecca Ward, a health educator with the department, said people should not be alarmed. West Nile virus activity is typical this time of year, she said.
"We know that it is present in the mosquitos, but we do not have any human cases, (and) we don't have any horses or other animals either that have been infected," Ward said.
The bird baths, pools of water that may just be in a little play pool, or even cat and dog bowls that are standing around … eliminating some of those standing pools of water around your home can reduce the potential for mosquitoes breeding.
–Rebecca Ward, Utah Department of Health
People can take simple precautions against infection, she said, such as using insect repellant with DEET, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants while outdoors, and removing any puddles or standing water.
The department is also asking people to report bodies of stagnant water to their local Mosquito Abatement District. A list can be found at www.umaa.org.
"The bird baths, pools of water that may just be in a little play pool, or even cat and dog bowls that are standing around … eliminating some of those standing pools of water around your home can reduce the potential for mosquitoes breeding," Ward said.
Last year, 2,122 people across the U.S. were diagnosed with West Nile virus. Two of those cases were in Utah.
