West Nile Cases Spike In Colorado

COLORADO — West Nile cases have surged this year in Colorado, according to state public health data.

As of Wednesday, 139 human cases of the virus had been reported in our state — up nearly 300 percent from 2020, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The number marks the highest annual count of cases over the past 5 years, the data shows.

Six Coloradans have died from West Nile infections so far this year, and 87 people have been hospitalized.

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The virus is transmitted to humans from the bite of an infected mosquito. While most infections are mild, the more serious infections can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and/or meningitis (inflammation of the brain's lining), loss of vision, paralysis, coma, tremors, convulsions and death.

There is no treatment, cure or human vaccination for the virus. Health care providers can only treat the symptoms to help patients feel better and possibly recover more quickly.

Symptoms of the virus include fever, extreme fatigue, headache, body aches, and occasionally can also include skin rashes and swollen lymph nodes. Generally, symptoms appear three to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Anyone who experiences these symptoms should consult their health care providers, public health officials said.

Historically, most human cases are reported in August and September. Transmission risk is estimated to be high and everyone is urged to take the following precautions:

1. Use DEET-enhanced insect repellent or any other CDC approved repellent.
2. Dress in long sleeves and pants.
3. Avoid the outdoors from dusk until dawn.
4. Drain standing water outside your home.

>> Learn more about the West Nile virus and prevention here.