Human West Nile case confirmed in Pueblo County

The Pueblo City-County Health Department says it has confirmed its first human case of West Nile Virus in 2015.

“The first human case of West Nile virus is confirmed in our community,” said Jody Carrillo, division director of Disease Prevention of the Pueblo City-County Health Department. “As mosquitoes in Pueblo tested positive for West Nile virus earlier in July, it is very important every individual take precaution to avoid the West Nile virus illness,” she said.

The health department says that West Nile virus develops in the human body within 5 to 14 days after a bite from an infected mosquito. All forms of West Nile virus can be serious including fever, meningitis and encephalitis, and have potential for causing long-term illness and disability. West Nile virus can affect any age group.

Symptoms of West Nile virus may include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle weakness, rash, stiff neck or changed mental state. Some infected persons experience a feeling of extreme tiredness and weakness for several weeks.

Rebecca Carrasco is still feeling the effects of West Nile virus. She contracted the disease in 2012. She said she lost her job and home after she got West Nile. Carrasco said she still has memory loss and she had to go through speech therapy. She has a message for the person who has West Nile.

“Just stay strong, try to stay as strong as you can. You have to beat this,” she said.

With the recent rainfall and the high water levels on the rivers in Pueblo County the mosquito population will potentially increase.

Carrillo advises all individuals to protect themselves from West Nile virus by following the Four D’s:

DRAIN standing water around your house weekly. Remember to drain water from tires, cans, flowerpots, clogged rain gutters, rain barrels, toys and puddles.
DUSK and DAWN are when mosquitoes are most active. Limit outdoor activities and take precautions to prevent mosquito bites during these times. DEET is an effective ingredient to look for in insect repellents. Always follow label instructions for application. DRESS in long sleeves and pants in areas where mosquitoes are active

During 2014 a total of seven human West Nile virus infections were confirmed in Pueblo. To date, Colorado had one confirmed human case of West Nile virus in Mesa County. This case in Pueblo brings Colorado’s cases to two.
Additional information about West Nile virus can be found at Colorado’s website www.FightTheBiteColorado.com.