Wyoming’s first reported West Nile virus case of the year involves a Goshen County adult, according to the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH).

West Nile virus
Culex quinquefasciatus
Image/CDC

Mosquitos spread West Nile virus (WNV) when they feed on infected birds and then bite people, animals or other birds. “Wyoming residents should remember to take steps to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites,” said Katie Bryan, epidemiologist with WDH.

Most people infected with WNV don’t have symptoms. Among those who become ill, symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph nodes. A very small number develop West Nile neuroinvasive disease with symptoms such as severe headache, fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions and paralysis.

Since WNV first appeared in Wyoming in 2002, reported human cases within a year have ranged from two with no deaths to 393 and nine deaths.

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