Health officials hope to keep Summit County free from the West Nile virus after mosquito pools in three Utah counties have already tested positive for the disease.
West Nile virus originates in birds but mosquitoes that bite infected animals usually spread the illness to humans. Mosquitoes in North Summit, South Summit and the Park City area are regularly checked for the disease.
Mosquitoes in Salt Lake County, Washington County and Box Elder County have already tested positive for West Nile virus this year. But infections in humans are rare, according to JoDee Summers, an epidemiologist at the Utah Department of Health.
However, recent wet weather has led to more mosquitoes, she said.
“This could be one of the worst mosquito seasons in Utah in more than two decades,” Summers said in a press release.
The mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus that are targeted in Summit County are called Culex tarsalis, Summit County Mosquito Abatement District Manager John Jaussi said in a telephone interview.
“There was West Nile virus two years ago behind the Treasure Mountain Middle School,” Jaussi said, adding that no cases of West Nile virus were confirmed in the county last year.
There have been no human cases of West Nile virus confirmed in Summit County, according to Summit County Health Department spokeswoman Katie Mullaly.
“We’re watching what’s going on with the rest of the state and we will start up our messages accordingly when the mosquito season kicks in up here,” Mullaly said. “We’re hoping to get through this season like we did last season with no cases of West Nile virus.”
There have been about 318 cases of West Nile virus confirmed in humans in Utah since 2003. Symptoms include high fever, severe headaches and a stiff neck.
Preventing West Nile virus can include:
Using mosquito repellant containing DEET or Picaridin when outdoors from dusk to dawn
Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants while outdoors
Removing standing water in tires and other containers to eliminate areas where mosquitoes can breed