URGENT UPDATE: The first case of West Nile virus in La Plata County for 2025 has been confirmed, raising alarm among health officials. The La Plata County Public Health Department (LPCPHD) reported that this case was submitted in early July and the patient has since recovered at home.
Authorities are launching a thorough investigation into how the patient contracted the virus, according to LPCPHD Director Theresa Anselmo. This investigation is critical as West Nile virus cases are relatively rare in the area, with only one reported case last year that led to hospitalization.
Significantly, just a week ago on July 25, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported the first death from West Nile virus in the state this year, involving a resident from Lafayette, Boulder County. As of now, 11 Coloradans have been affected, with cases documented across multiple counties including Adams, Boulder, Pueblo, Broomfield, Douglas, Larimer, and Weld. Three individuals have been hospitalized, and five are exhibiting neurological symptoms.
Anselmo emphasized that 8 out of 10 people infected with West Nile virus show no symptoms, but severe illness is more likely among older adults and immunocompromised individuals. Symptoms can include fever, headache, body aches, and in severe cases, neurological issues such as disorientation and paralysis.
With no vaccine available, the only treatment for West Nile virus is supportive care. Symptoms typically manifest between two to 14 days post-infection. Anselmo advised anyone experiencing severe headaches or confusion after a mosquito bite to seek medical attention immediately.
Public health officials are urging residents to take preventive measures against mosquito bites. Recommendations include using EPA-registered insect repellents, wearing long sleeves during dawn and dusk, and eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed. Anselmo highlighted that while humans can contract the virus, they are “dead-end hosts,” meaning they cannot transmit it to others or to mosquitoes.
West Nile virus first appeared in the U.S. in 1999 and has led to significant outbreaks in the past, with the largest in 2002, resulting in 4,156 human cases and 284 deaths. Last year, there were 1,791 cases and 164 deaths nationwide.
As this situation develops, residents are encouraged to stay informed and take necessary precautions, as health officials stress that awareness and preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of infection.
