Health officials are reminding Coloradans to protect themselves from West Nile virus-carrying mosquitoes this summer.
Although West Nile virus doesn’t typically emerge until later in July, this year’s season appears to be off to an earlier start – which is surprising given the current dry conditions affecting the state.
As of June, West Nile virus had already been found in trapped mosquitoes in Adams,Larimer, Weld, and Delta counties. And this week it was found in a pool of mosquitoes at Longmont's Jim Hamm Nature Area.
Jane Viste with the Larimer County Health Department says last year wasn’t an especially active one for West Nile – but that’s no guarantee this year will follow suit.
“West Nile, like a lot of things, could suddenly rise again, and people will be quite impacted. So we want to prevent people—it’s a simple thing to do. Just don’t go where the mosquitoes are, protect yourself with repellent, with good clothing, being careful when you’re going to be out at the time mosquitoes are out.”
Viste says no human cases of West Nile Virus have been reported in Colorado yet.
