West Nile virus kills Utah man
Springville resident is state's 2nd victim; he had been in poor health
Scott Gottfredson Orrock died Sunday morning at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, becoming Utah's second West Nile virus-related death. A 72-year-old Uintah County woman died in September 2005 from the mosquito-borne virus.
State and Utah County health officials learned Monday afternoon that inflammation of Orrock's brain was the result of West Nile virus, said Lance Madigan, Utah County Health Department spokesman.
Orrock's wife, Dawn, said she suspects her husband was bitten by a mosquito and infected with the virus while sitting on the deck in the yard of their Springville home in late July.
"We were having a family gathering, and we noticed there were a lot of mosquitoes out there," she said.
Orrock began feeling sick on Aug. 3 and was hospitalized Aug. 9 with severe encephalitis an inflammation of the brain caused by a viral infection. A late-July bite would fit the time frame of West Nile virus, which has an incubation period of four to 10 days.
Utah County has been hit hard with West Nile virus this year. Fifteen of the state's 23 confirmed human cases including Sunday's death have been found inside the county's borders.
"We've got a disproportionate share," Madigan said of Utah County, "but we've also got that great big breeding ground called Utah Lake."
The freshwater lake attracts a lot of birds, which can carry the virus, and along the shoreline there are many areas of standing water "mosquito-growing areas," said Dr. Joseph Miner, executive director of the Utah County Health Department.
Utah County also has a lot of people nearly 450,000, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates for mosquitoes to feed on.
Mosquitoes will migrate 12 to 15 miles from where they hatch, Miner said, putting a lot of people at risk.
"The lake is so central in the county," he said. "If you go 12 to 15 miles from any edge of the lake, you pretty well cover most of the populated area of the county."
Utah County, which had 15 human cases of West Nile virus in 2005, increased its mosquito-abatement efforts this year in anticipation of another heavy mosquito season.
Mosquito abatement crews have covered more than 50,000 acres in the county with aerial spraying. They've also used land vehicles for nightly fogging in problem areas near the lake.
The fogging is done to "create a buffer zone between our known mosquito breeding habitat and our residential and recreational areas," said Bob Mower, Utah County mosquito abatement director.
Comments
- Package deal for S.L. area 7:12 p.m.
- Budget road trip 7:12 p.m.
- Carlos becomes hurricane off Baja 6:54 p.m.
- Cheney-CIA counterterrorism talk 6:53 p.m.
- Peirsol breaks WR in 200 back 6:51 p.m.
- Logan canal breaks; 3 to 4 missing 6:37 p.m.
- 'Mates: Millsap deserves big payday 5:22 p.m.
- Millsap offer: $10.3M up front 4:59 p.m.
- Questions about osteoarthritis 4:43 p.m.
- 'Love advocates' plan 'kiss-in' 3:46 p.m.
- Jazz brass debate Millsap match
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza
- Jazz finances not quite so bleak
- Logan canal breaks; 3 to 4 missing
- Utahns among Texans' investors
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Millsap offer: $10.3M up front
- Cash for Clunkers to get rolling soon
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love'
- LDS seminary principal arrested
332 - Jazz brass debate Millsap match
192 - 2 men cited on LDS plaza
164 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
141 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
124 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
101 - Fairness of BCS debated
83 - Letters: Single-payer system best
76 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
Worst case scenario: Jazz let Milsap go and cannot unload Boozer. Then...
Hey! Keep up the good work Mr. Fisher and Neuroworx. Anything to restore...
But certainly way too much. Have a good ride in the Rose City, Paul. Best...
@ Ernest T Bass Neocons don't think that way. Every time you bring up the...
what channel do america an real salt lake play
Have any of you read "WHAT HAPPENED" by Scott McClellenan former Press...
It's amazing how many people think he was a great guy because of his...
I am proud of our President for the hard work he does abroad, and am pleased...
let Milsap go, I relize he may be one of 4 people on the team with heart, get...
To "I Smell California," who brilliantly made the following comment a few...



You can be the first to comment on this story.