The Summit County Utah Health Department is warning residents to take precautions against mosquitoes now that a case has been reported in Summit County.
Three cases have been reported in Utah so far, although only one was contracted within the state. The Summit County resident was infected in Texas where the virus has been rampant.
“Its a concern here at Summit County. The last few years the numbers were really down in terms of mosquitoes and we haven’t had West Nile virus for a few years,” said Summit County Utah Health Department spokeswoman Katie Mullaly.
The virus is transmitted through infected mosquitoes called culex tarsalis. This particular mosquito bites from dusk until dawn. Only about two percent of mosquitoes carry the virus.
Numbers have previously been down due to weather and mosquito abatement, but those days may be over and Mullaly reports they are keeping a close eye on it.
“Be very cognizant,” Mullaly said. “Wear light, long clothing and repellent and keep the screen door shut. Even thought it hasn’t rained much, standing water around your home, even from the sprinklers or a small cup under your deck, can produce 200 mosquitoes a week.”
Residents should also make sure any holes in the screens in their homes are fixed.
Of all those infected by the virus, only 20 percent exhibit symptoms.
“So it’s not that everyone who’s bitten is going to become ill, but it does tend to affect the elderly and those whose health has already been compromised,” she said.
The virus produces flu-like symptoms such as headaches, fever, body aches and vomiting. But there is no treatment, only monitoring of the symptoms.
The Summit County Mosquito Abatement District continues to test frequently for the West Nile virus and all tests have come back negative.
“So we continue to monitor it and to educate people on how to prevent it. It’s something we always keep on our radar,” Mullaly said.
The countywide abatement program started about seven years ago with the program in North Summit.
When the West Nile virus began sweeping through the United States, the Summit County Mosquito Abatement District and the health department offered funding to help the mosquito abatement program expand countywide, with residents chipping in small percentage to keep the mosquito abatement funded.
The abatement program has been instrumental in eliminating of a lot of mosquito breeding ponds and pools.
“They’ve been very helpful,” Mullaly. “They’ve shown areas in Colorado where they have had a more serious West Nile virus problem. And the areas with mosquito abatement have had significantly fewer cases.”
While the mosquito district workers won’t go on private property without the owner’s permission, if residents see a swarm of mosquitoes or a big stagnant pond they should call the Summit Mosquito Abatement District at 435-336-2088.