Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The West Nile virus has arrived in Utah.
The potentially deadly disease was detected in a magpie found in West Valley City this week. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Salt Lake Valley Health Department confirmed the first case of the disease in the state this year.
Although no human cases of West Nile virus have been reported yet this year, health officials say now is the time to start taking precautions. Wearing long sleeves and pants, using insect repellant and treating homes for mosquitoes are recommended.
People may get the virus by being bitten by an infected mosquito.
The magpie died May 29th. Results from tests done on the bird came back yesterday.
Extra mosquito abatement will be done in the area where the bird was found.
------ Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.sltrib.com
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
