Jul 2, 2008 9:36 pm US/Mountain
West Nile Virus Risk May Be Less In 2008
Reporting
Paul Day
DENVER (CBS4) ―
The breeding conditions for mosquitoes in Colorado this year may mean people most at risk from West Nile virus could catch a break.
John Pape, an Epidemiologist with the Colorado Department of Health and Environment, says cooler weather earlier in the season gets the credit.
"I think that kind of kept the populations down," Pape said.
He says making an accurate prediction for the rest of the summer is difficult but there's no question mosquito numbers now are lower than the same time last year.
In 2007, Colorado saw seven deaths and 576 human cases from West Nile Virus.
Pape watches mosquito surveillance surveys across the state. The recent hot weather has caused a surge in the number of breeding insects. But he says even if this turns out to be just a moderate summer for mosquito numbers, it could still be pretty serious.
"Even in a middle-of-the-road year, we've seen several hundred cases; we've seen a few deaths," Pape said.
Pape recommends people going outdoors at dusk take the usual precautions: wear repellents with DEET and eliminate any backyard breeding areas.
Here are some tips to prevent getting bit by a mosquito:
• Avoid outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Use insect repellent on exposed skin when you go outdoors. Use an EPA-registered insect repellent such as those with DEET.
• Get rid of standing water where mosquitoes can breed.
• Larvacide can be placed in standing water to kill mosquito larvae.
Health officials ask for people who come across dead crows, blue jays, magpies and ravens to call the Colorado Help Hotline at (877) 462-2911.
Additional Resources
(© MMVIII CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
