Commerce City resident with West Nile virus

A Commerce City resident who tested positive for West Nile virus and was hospitalized is now recovering at home.

The recovering patient suffered from West Nile virus fever, which usually includes other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea and rash, according to a statement. Tri-County Health Department Press Release.

“This case follows reports of mosquitoes infected with WNV in Adams and Arapahoe counties and three infected horses in Adams County in the past two weeks,” the statement said.

West Nile virus is commonly transmitted to humans by an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes then transmit the virus to humans and other animals by biting them.

People can fight West Nile virus by:

• Draining of standing water to reduce mosquito breeding.
• Try to avoid the time outdoors between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
• Use products that contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or lemon eucalyptus oil and other mosquito repellants.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes, and socks if you are outside at night.

“While most people infected with WNV make a full recovery, about 1 in 150 people develop serious illness affecting the central nervous system,” the health ministry said. “Complications of serious illness can include encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord), and in rare cases, death.”

The first human case of WNV in Colorado this season was reported on August 13, the statement said. To date, 15 people in the state have tested positive for the virus; seven required hospitalization. WNV has been found in 11 counties in Colorado this year, including Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Denver, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld counties.