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Ed Yeates ReportingThe first Utah victim of the mosquito borne West Nile virus this season was never hospitalized. In fact, she never even saw a doctor. A lot of people may be having the same experience.
As Holly Gallier talked to us in her Spanish Fork apartment, she didn't look sick. That's because she never really was that sick.
Holly Gallier, Spanish Fork: "I got a headache and I was tired for two days. I didn't want to do anything, fatigue and I had a rash on my back and on my face."
Just a cold, not enough to see a doctor. But after Holly donated blood, she got a call. Routine testing, as is done at all blood banks now, showed her blood came up positive for West Nile.
What happened there probably happens to a lot of people. Some researchers estimate as many as 80 percent of those infected with West Nile never get that sick. Some don't have symptoms at all.
Holly was not on the shores of a lake or even boating. She was simply sitting on the steps of her apartment when the mosquitoes bit.
Holly Gallier: "I was bit twice. I got bit twice. I was sitting on the porch, or the steps of my apartment, and I was talking to two of my neighbor friends."
Utah County is aerial spraying mosquitoes for the first time in almost 15 years. West Nile showed up last year during the 24th of July weekend. But this year, mosquitoes tested positive as early as June 12th.
Though aerial spraying has dramatically reduced mosquito populations along the shores of Utah Lake, evening winds are blowing what's left into populated areas.
Robert Mower, Director, Utah County Mosquito Abatement: "They're looking for a shady place, and so back yards are real nice places. So you might not have a ton of mosquitoes, but you might have one that's packing West Nile."
So take heed, summer's not over yet! Continue wearing protective clothing. Except for small children, apply sprays with DEET. And keep your yards free of waste water.
