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Mosquito-borne Disease Summary Statistics - Utah
Recommendations For Outdoor Activities:
The Utah Department of Health encourages healthy activity and behavior. Here's how you can protect yourself and your family while enjoying outdoor activities this summer... click here.
For more information on West Nile virus, go to http://www.health.utah.gov/wnv
Total Surveillance Results
Mosquito-borne disease has been detected in Utah. These results are for humans, dead birds, horses, sentinel chickens, and mosquitoes.
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Total number of counties in Utah: 29
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Total number of counties detecting West Nile virus: 9 - Carbon, Duchesne, Emery, Grand, Millard, Sanpete, Uintah, Utah, and Wayne
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Total number of counties detecting Western Equine encephalitis: 0
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Total number of counties detecting St. Louis encephalitis: 0
Human Surveillance
As of October 3, 2003, one human has acquired West Nile virus in Utah. The exposure occurred in Uintah county. There have been at least 31 humans tested at the Utah Department of Health Laboratory or at commercial labs. There have been five human cases of West Nile virus acquired in other states.
Dead Bird Surveillance (tested at Utah Department of Health laboratory)
West Nile virus results:
Total number of birds submitted: 157
Total number testing positive: 1
Total number testing negative: 156
Total number of counties -
Submitting dead birds: 19 (66%)
Detecting WNV- positive Birds: 1
Grand County
Mosquito Surveillance (tested at Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory)
Total number of mosquito batches submitted: 1,915
Total number of positive batches: 2
Total number of negative batches: 1,913
Counties detecting infected mosquitoes: Utah and Uintah
Sentinel Chicken Surveillance (tested at Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory)
Sentinel chicken surveillance has ended for the season.
Total number of chickens testing positive this season: 9
Total number chickens: 280
Counties detecting infected chickens: Carbon, Duchesne, and Emery
Horse Surveillance
Total number of horses tested: 67*
Total number testing positive: 29
Total number testing negative: 38
Counties detecting infected horses: Duchesne, Emery, Millard, Sanpete, Uintah, and Wayne
*268 additional horses were tested for WNV by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.
What Is West Nile Virus?
West Nile virus (WNV) is a potentially serious illness. Experts believe WNV is established as a seasonal epidemic in North America that flares up in the summer and continues into the fall. This fact sheet contains important information that can help you recognize and prevent West Nile virus.
What Are the Symptoms of WNV?
WNV affects the central nervous system. Symptoms vary.
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No Symptoms in Most People. Approximately 80 percent of people who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all.
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Mild Symptoms in Some People. Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected will display mild symptoms, including fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms typically last a few days.
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Serious Symptoms in a Few People. About one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.
How Soon Do Infected People Get Sick?
People typically develop symptoms between 3 and 14 days after they are bitten by the infected mosquito.
How Is WNV Infection Treated?
There is no specific treatment for WNV infection. In cases with mild symptoms, people experience symptoms such as fever and aches that pass on their own. In more severe cases, people usually need to go to the hospital where they can receive supportive treatment including intravenous fluids, help with breathing and nursing care.
What Should I Do if I Think I Have WNV?
Mild WNV illness improves on its own, and people do not necessarily need to seek medical attention for this infection. If you develop symptoms of severe WNV illness, such as unusually severe headaches or confusion, seek medical attention immediately. Severe WNV illness usually requires hospitalization. Pregnant women and nursing mothers are encouraged to talk to their doctor if they develop symptoms that could be WNV.
What Is the Risk of Catching WNV?
For most, risk is low. Less than 1 percent of people who are bitten by mosquitoes develop any symptoms of the disease and relatively few mosquitoes actually carry WNV.
Greater risk for those outdoors a lot. People who spend a lot of time outdoors are more likely to be bitten by an infected mosquito. They should take special care to avoid mosquito bites.
People over 50 can get sicker. People over the age of 50 are more likely to develop serious symptoms of WNV if they do get sick and should take special care to avoid mosquito bites.
Risk through medical procedures is low. The risk of getting WNV through blood transfusions and organ transplants is very small, and should not prevent people who need surgery from having it. If you have concerns, talk to your doctor before surgery.
Pregnancy and nursing do not increase risk of becoming infected with WNV.
What Can I Do to Prevent WNV?
The easiest and best way to avoid WNV is to prevent mosquito bites.
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When you are outdoors, use insect repellents containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). Follow the directions on the package.
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Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Consider staying indoors during these times or use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants. Light-colored clothing can help you see mosquitoes that land on you.
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Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
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Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill drainage holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children's wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren't being used.
What Is the CDC Doing About WNV?
CDC is working with state and local health departments, the Food and Drug Administration and other government agencies, as well as private industry, to prepare for and prevent new cases of WNV.
Some things CDC is doing include:
For more information go to: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/wnv_factSheet.htm |
