The state of Colorado has reported its first human case of West Nile virus for the year, prompting public health officials to warn residents and visitors to take action now to protect themselves. reported the first case of the mosquito-borne illness in Arapahoe County last week. Though the typical season for West Nile Virus in mosquitos begins in May, a news release from reports that Colorado doesn't usually see human cases until later in the summer.
“While we know that West Nile virus is endemic to Colorado – meaning we expect to see some cases each year – we never quite know how many to expect or just how bad a season will be. What this first case confirms for us, however, is that West Nile virus is present in our mosquito population, and as mosquito numbers increase, the risk of West Nile virus will, too,” says Melissa Adair, Communicable Disease Epidemiology Manager at Arapahoe County Public Health. Last year was one of the , which can cause a serious brain infection such as meningitis or encephalitis, with 48 people dying due to complications from infection.
That spate was blamed on an unusually wet spring and summer in 2023, while this year hasn't seen as much rain, however, officials are concerned that rising temperatures could lead to an increase in mosquito activity. “We’re encouraging all Arapahoe County residents to take precautions now, before we see mosquitoes and illness increase this season," warns Adair. According to the CDPH, most people infected .
