Jul 2, 2007 6:07 pm US/Mountain
2nd Case Of W. Nile Confirmed, Action Being Taken
Prepared for cbs4denver.com by Matthew J. Buettner, Web Producer.
CHEYENNE COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) ―
A second Coloradan has the West Nile virus.
The State Health Department confirmed a person in Cheyenne County in eastern Colorado has the virus and was undergoing treatment.
Last week, a case turned up in Logan County.
Spring rain and summer's hot temperatures have created an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes that transmit West Nile.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment confirmed a person in Cheyenne County in Eastern Colorado has the virus and was undergoing treatment.
Last week, a case turned up in Logan County.
Spring rain and summer's hot temperatures have created an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes that transmit West Nile.
Several counties have reported that populations of Culex mosquitoes, which transmit West Nile virus, are extremely high for this time of year and are rising. Officials are trying to control the mosquitoes before they fly.
Mike Ciccotti, a mosquito control technician, was in Thornton Monday eradicating mosquito larvae with a nearly invisible insecticide that's in the form of bacteria on ground-up pellets.
"As soon as the corn pellet hits the water, the bacteria is released into the water column," Ciccotti said. "The mosquitoes get the bacteria into their stomach and it kills them."
The bacteria works within six hours and Colorado Mosquito Control says it's perfectly safe to all but a couple of insects.
"The bacteria in the water is only going to affect mosquitoes and one other nuisance fly in Colorado," Ciccotti said. "No birds, bees, frogs, dogs, kids or anything like that."
Ciccotti confirmed that this year may be worse than last year for mosquitoes.
Health officials say most people get West Nile around their home and not while they're out in the woods.
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