Salt Lake County Health reports first 2019 human case of West Nile virus

By Jennifer J. Johnson | [email protected]

The Salt Lake County Health Department has announced the first human case of West Nile virus in the county this year. The infected individual is an adult diagnosed with neuroinvasive WNV, a more severe form of the disease. The individual remains hospitalized. 

SLCHD and the local mosquito abatement personnel urge Salt Lake County residents to take care in being outdoors and in ensuring that their yards and properties do not exacerbate problems in spreading the disease.

West Nile virus—How is it transmitted? 

Dusk to dawn are the danger times, with regards to contracting WNV. 

“Mosquitos bite from dusk to dawn,” said Tamara Packer Zander, a South Salt Lake Valley Mosquito Abatement District Board Member and a city councilwoman from South Jordan. 

“If you are out walking—in the neighborhood, by Jordan Parkway, by Daybreak Lake, or anywhere with water—from dusk to dawn where there might be mosquitos, take precautionary measures.”

According to the Center for Disease Control, the perfect storm for West Nile virus is the triple combination of water, birds, and mosquitos.

WNV is transmitted to birds through the bite of infected mosquitos. Mosquitos become infected by biting infected birds. Predators (such as hawks and owls) or scavengers (such as crows) may become infected after eating sick or dead birds that were already infected with West Nile virus.

West Nile virus—What does it mean?

It is estimated that less than 1% of people infected with WNV will develop neuroinvasive disease, which can result in debilitating long-term complications or death. 

Symptoms of WNV infection appear within 2-14 days and include fever, headache and body aches. However, WNV can cause mild to severe illness and many people may not even know they have been infected.

More severe infections may include high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors and muscle weakness or convulsions. People over age 50 and people with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk of illness due to WNV, but anyone can become ill from the bite of an infected mosquito. 

WNV is not transmissible from person to person. There is no specific treatment for WNV infection other than to treat symptoms. If you think you have WNV infection, contact your health care provider. 

WNV was first detected in the U.S. in 1999 and in Utah in 2003. Last year, public health officials confirmed that 11 people in the state contracted the virus, with one dying. 

SLCHD warns that WNV may likely be much more prevalent than the reported case numbers indicate. This is because only 20-30% of infected people will have any symptoms at all—and many of those will notice only minor, flu-like symptoms. 

Some 20 Salt Lake County sites have detected mosquitos carrying West Nile virus

The South Jordan Journal received slightly different information from the SLCHD and from the South Salt lake Valley Mosquito Abatement District regarding the total number of sites where infected mosquitos have been detected.

According to a press release issued by SLCHD on Aug. 19, three mosquito abatement districts in Salt Lake County reported as having detected West Nile virus in 21 different mosquito pools around the county. 

In slight contrast, Packer Zander, from South Salt Lake Valley Mosquito Abatement District, indicated receiving up-to-the-minute information from the area mosquito district, indicating that a total of 20 positive-test sites were reported throughout the county.

According to Packer Zander, four of the sites were in South Jordan.

How to prevent contracting West Nile virus: proactive area preparation

What is most important? Proactively warding off the potential of contracting the West Nile virus.

“To have 20 traps test positive? It means, it is out there and that we should be cautious,” said Packer Zander. 

Packer Zander indicated Daybreak’s Oquirrh Lake received a precautionary, additional mosquito fogging treatment the night of Aug. 11. Technicians treated the perimeter of the lake, she indicated.

“[It was] more precaution than they usually take—they constantly have a crew with traps, every summer, all of the time,” she indicated. But because of the high number of locations with WNV-bearing mosquitos, the district upped its precautionary treatment in Daybreak, along the Jordan River and elsewhere,” she said.

The same proactive care can be provided, free of charge, to Salt Lake County residents concerned about ponds, horse troughs, rain barrels or any non-dumpable, standing water sources, Packer Zander said. 

To get help or receive information, contact the South Salt Lake Valley Mosquito Abatement District. 

There is a web-based request for help at https://www.sslvmad.org/Services.html.

The phone number is 801-255-4651.

Support personnel can answer questions and technicians can come onsite and mosquito proof. Treatments can range from adding fish to ponds to providing altosid XR briquettes in horse troughs, rain barrels or other sources. Other methods can be utilized in wetlands areas.

“Every situation is a little different,” said Brian Hougaard, manager of the South Salt Lake Valley Mosquito Abatement District.

“If you have any standing water or any other concerns, we will take a look at it and use the best treatment.”

How to prevent contracting West Nile virus: dusk-to-dawn precautions

“There are a growing number of mosquitoes carrying the disease,” said Ilene Risk, SLCHD epidemiology bureau manager, “so it is now especially important that residents protect themselves from mosquito bites.” 

Although only some mosquitoes carry WNV, there is no way for residents to tell which mosquitoes may be infected so it is important to minimize exposure opportunities during mosquito season. The county’s Risk recommends these habits:

-       Use an EPA-registered mosquito repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon

eucalyptus; follow package directions.

-       Wear long sleeves and pants, from dusk till dawn.

-       Drain standing water in yards (old tires, potted plant trays, pet dishes, toys, buckets, etc.). 

-       Clear roof gutters of debris. 

-       Clean and stock garden ponds with mosquito-eating fish or mosquito dunks. 

-       Ensure door and window screens are in good condition so mosquitoes cannot get inside. 

-       Cut weeds and tall grass; adult mosquitoes look for these shady places to rest during the hot daylight hours.