A Larimer County resident has been hospitalized due to West Nile Virus, according to a press release from Larimer County.
The Loveland resident was hospitalized with meningitis, a neuroinvasive form of West Nile. Less than 1 percent of West Nile cases are neuroinvasive, according to the press release.
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Two Fort Collins residents have also been confirmed with West Nile after donating blood in July. Both donors are asymptomatic and their blood was not used. About 75 percent of cases are asymptomatic, while 25 percent develop West Nile fever.
In July, there were only two confirmed cases of the virus in Fort Collins.
A county official said these cases confirm the increase in risk of West Nile. To prevent West Nile, the county advises to:
- Use DEET or other effective mosquito repellent, such as Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535.
- Avoid exposure during Culex mosquito feeding times, from dusk through dawn.
- Wear long sleeves and pants to avoid bites.
- Remove standing water in yards and gardens, which are breeding areas for mosquitoes.
Collegian Managing Editor Katie Schmidt can be reached at news@collegian.com or on Twitter @KatieDSchmidt.
