Published on August 06, 2020
Weld County — One group of mosquitoes collected from traps set during the week of July 27, 2020, on the Weld County side of the Town of Berthoud has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). This group came from traps set as part of the Town of Berthoud’s WNV surveillance program. This is the first positive test of any mosquitoes trapped within Weld County this year. Weld County contracts with an outside vendor to conduct mosquito trapping and testing in three zones within Weld County, which includes the Greeley/Evans area, the Johnstown/Milliken/Platteville area, and the Fort Lupton/Dacono/Firestone area. These traps have not had any WNV positive mosquitoes this year. The results of 15 mosquito groups trapped the week of August 3, 2020, however, are pending.
Although the risk of WNV is currently low, the hotter days in August create perfect conditions for the Culex mosquito and WNV. Currently there are no human cases of WNV in Weld County or in Colorado. Last year, there were a total of 9 human cases of WNV in Weld County.
West Nile Virus symptoms can appear 3-14 days after an infection. Initial symptoms can include fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, muscle aches and weakness, and rash, but most infected people don’t exhibit any symptoms. If a person develops symptoms, he or she should see a doctor immediately. There are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent West Nile Virus infection, and less than one percent of infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, neurological illness.
Health officials recommend following the four “D’s” to prevent mosquito bites: