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WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah — The West Nile Virus is back in Utah.
According to the Southwest Utah public Health Department, the West Nile Virus was detected in a batch of mosquitoes they tested. This is the first detection of the virus in the state this year.
Since the virus first arrived in Utah in 2003, officials have taken precautions to prevent it from spreading. In 2006, there were 158 human cases of the West Nile Virus, five of which were fatal. Last year, however, only three cases were detected in the state.
2003: 1 2004: 11 2005: 52 2006: 158 2007: 70 2008: 27 2009: 2 2010: 2 2011: 3
"A lot of it is due to we have a lot of active mosquitoes abatement associations in Utah and the districts do a good job of going out and trying to eliminate the mosquitoes from breeding," said State Epidemiologist Theron Jeppson. "And that plays a big role in how successful our state has been in preventing West Nile in humans."
The West Nile virus has only tested positive in Southern Utah, which is not unusual considering the climate, but experts expect the virus will move north in the weeks and months ahead. Jeppson says it is typical for the virus to show up in late June or July.
David Heaton, spokesperson for the Southwest Utah Public Health Department says it is important to recognize that the virus is active again in Utah so symptoms can be monitored.
"(Of affected individuals,) 80 percent will never have symptoms," Heaton said. "It's that 20 percent who suffer flu- like symptoms that can last a few days, or even weeks, that really, people think it's the flu but it's a small percent — one in 150 people — that turn into a serious illness."
Experts stress using repellent containing 30-percent DEET when out, especially at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active. If you can, wear long pants and sleeves. Also, empty any standing water on your property.
Contributing: Randall Jeppesen
