Denver reports first known West Nile case in city resident

A Denver resident has West Nile virus, and the local health department urged the public to drain standing water and take other precautions.

The Denver Department of Public Health and Environment didn’t share any information about the person, who was the first in the city with a confirmed West Nile case this year.

Typically, only people with more severe illnesses get tested for West Nile, because most infected people either don’t get sick or have general flu-like symptoms. In the worst cases, the virus invades the nervous system, sometimes causing coma or death.

The department had urged caution in early August when it found mosquitoes infected with West Nile in the city. People can protect themselves by:

• Throwing out water that gathered in items on their property, such as flower pots and toys, and cleaning those items

• Avoiding hitting sidewalks and driveways while watering their lawns, because pools can form in uneven pavement

• Using insect repellent with DEET during outdoor activities

• Making sure door and window screens are in good repair

• Avoiding outdoor activities at dawn and dusk

• Wearing long pants and sleeves when outside

Arapahoe County reported the first case in the state in late June, marking an early start to the West Nile season. The season hasn’t been particularly severe so far: 13 people have tested positive, including seven who needed hospital care, but none has died, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The state’s data doesn’t yet include the Denver case.

Jefferson, Larimer, Weld, Delta, Kit Carson, La Plata and Mesa counties have also reported cases.

Last year, 634 people tested positive for West Nile and 51 died, making it the worst year for both infections and deaths since 2003.

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