With Colorado's first human West Nile virus case being reported in Arapahoe County on June 26, the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment (PDPHE) is advising residents to keep the "Four D's" in mind.
Pueblo County residents are advised to wear insect repellent containing DEET, dress appropriately when outdoors, remember that dusk and dawn are times of high mosquito activity, and drain standing water in order to protect themselves from mosquitoes carrying the virus.
While no West Nile cases have been reported in Pueblo County this year as of July 10, cases typically begin to be reported later in the summer. On July 14, 2023, PDPHE had no reported human cases of West Nile virus. By Aug. 22, PDPHE had reported nine human cases and one death.
A total of 24 human West Nile cases were reported in 2023, according to Trysten Garcia, public information officer for PDPHE. That total is the highest the county has seen since 184 West Nile cases were reported in 2003.
"It was definitely an outlier last year," Garcia told the Chieftain. "I think it was in large part due to the heavy rainfall that came in the early part and then was sustained through the middle of the summer... the (mosquito) population just stayed high the whole year."
About 80% of those infected with West Nile virus are asymptomatic, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About one-fifth of those infected may experience a fever accompanied by body aches, diarrhea, headache, joint pain, rash, or vomiting. One in 150 infections may develop into more severe conditions like brain inflammation or meningitis.
Severe symptoms may include constant headache, stiffness in the neck or upper back, confusion, disorientation, or a rash, Garcia told the Chieftain. Those who are at greater risk of severe illness include individuals over 60 years old, organ transplant recipients, and those with underlying medical conditions, according to the CDC.
Of 634 confirmed West Nile cases in Colorado last year, 386 required hospitalization and 51 resulted in death, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Four deaths in Pueblo County were "potentially linked" to West Nile in 2023, according to PDPHE.
Individuals experiencing symptoms of West Nile virus are advised by PDPHE to seek immediate medical treatment.
"West Nile can progress and become pretty serious for folks, but if it is met early and they're able to get the proper treatment from a health care provider, then they're usually able to reduce some of those symptoms," Garcia said.
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Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com
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