Uintah Basin man infected with West Nile virus
The man is between the age of 20 and 40. Shaffer said Tuesday that it's believed he was infected in the area, although the virus had not yet been detected this season in TriCounty mosquito pools or sentinel chickens, which are usually part of the early warning system.
"The message is it's time for people to take precautions to avoid being infected. West Nile is here" and there are prevention steps people can take, said Shaffer.
The virus has also been detected in Kane, Salt Lake and Washington counties, according to the Utah Department of Health. State data is updated weekly.
The virus is carried by infected mosquitoes that are active and bite from dusk to dawn. Most people who are infected with the virus will show no symptoms or will have signs of usually mild flu. But a small percentage of people who are infected will develop severe, even deadly neurological symptoms. Severe reaction is most common among people who are elderly or the very young, as well as those with compromised immune systems or those with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes.
The most effective treatment is not being bitten in the first place, health experts say. They recommend wearing long sleeves and pants when you're outside dusk to dawn and using a mosquito repellents that contain DEET, paying attention to the label. Adults can use repellents with up to 35 percent DEET, while children 2 months to 12 years can use up to 10 percent DEET. It should not be put on children's hands or feet. DEET should not be used on children under 2 months old.
They also counsel keeping grass mowed and getting rid of standing water near homes. And horses, which are especially susceptible to serious illness, should be vaccinated against infection.
More information is online at health.utah.gov/epi.
E-mail: lois@desnews.com
Recent comments
UintaH county. The H is important.
Vernalian. | July 2, 2008 at 3:21 p.m.
- Funds for new courthouse approved 1:48 a.m.
- Godfrey vetoes Ogden budget 1:48 a.m.
- Odd Fellows Hall move 1:47 a.m.
- 2 country groups to perform 1:47 a.m.
- Rumor has Boozer with Bulls 1:20 a.m.
- Jazz in back of line for free agents 1:19 a.m.
- Okur signs two-year extension 1:18 a.m.
- Marion to Mavs, Stackhouse to Griz 1:16 a.m.
- Price for redistricting plan challenged 1:04 a.m.
- Basketball campers learn service 1:02 a.m.
- Rumor has Boozer with Bulls
- Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
- Jazz in back of line for free agents
- Okur signs two-year extension
- Restaurant destroyed by fire
- A primer for the 6th Potter film
- Jazz won't meet Lopez on Europe trip
- Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
- MWC, WAC rushed into BCS
- AK will not play for Russia this summer
- Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
138 - Letters: Palin mistreated
136 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
134 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
122 - Rumor has Boozer with Bulls
82 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Moon landing: Let's hear from you
73 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
72 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70 - Letters: Time for a revolution
69
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...
Blazers get the unbalanced trade they seek while not signing Millsap away...
Ricky Bobby - THE JAZZ DO NOT WANT TO TAKE BACK EQUAL SALARIES. They want to...
Despite the fact that logging has all but stopped in the pacific northwest...
My understanding of what FAIR is trying to do, is to provide well thought out...
Jazz will resign Milsap. If they don't it will be ahuge mistake. First off,...
I was waiting for it to be burned on the big metal structure right by the...
Hey Ute fan... the Utes had a good season. And keep throwing that BCS bowl...
Tyrus Thomas is in the last year of his contract too so what is the point for...
CougarKeith, people don't know how to properly retire the flag, what they did...
It is just talk but since it was brought up: IF we can get Prizbilla &...

