Human cases of West Nile virus confirmed in Salt Lake, Washington counties


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SALT LAKE CITY — The first human case of West Nile virus in Salt Lake County has been found, health officials say. A human case of the disease has also been confirmed in Washington County.

The person infected in Salt Lake County is an adult who remained hospitalized as of Monday, according to a news release from the Salt Lake County Health Department. The agency did not release any other details about the person but said he or she was infected with the neuroinvasive West Nile virus, which is a more severe type of the disease.

Three different Salt Lake County mosquito abatement districts have detected the virus in at least 21 different mosquito pools, the health department said. “Pools” refers to a group of mosquitoes, not a body of water, the agency added.

Southwest Utah Public Health Department officials also announced Washington County's first human case of West Nile virus Monday but did not release any additional details, such as age or gender, about the person infected.

Also Monday, the Box Elder County Mosquito Abatement District announced that mosquitos from a pool in the county tested positive for West Nile virus.

The virus was found in a pool located in the 11600 W. 8000 North area near Penrose, southwest of Tremonton, the agency said in a Facebook post.

Mosquitos have previously tested positive for West Nile virus in Sevier, Weber, Davis and Grand counties this year. Idaho has reported two human cases of the disease in Washington County, located in the western part of the state.

People age 50 and over, as well as those with weakened immune systems, are at highest risk for West Nile virus, the Salt Lake County Health Department said.

People are advised to use a strong mosquito repellent with an active ingredient such as DEET, wear long sleeves and pants after dusk, drain standing water in yards, and make sure door and window screens are in good condition so insects cannot get inside.

For more information, visit https://slco.org/health.

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