Denver Public Health reported on Twitter this week the first human West Nile virus (WNV) case of the year.
To date, Colorado has seen 47 WNV cases with Larimer County reporting the most at 12.
WNV is a potentially serious disease carried by mosquitoes. People get WNV after being bitten by an infected mosquito or handling a bird that died from the virus.
Most people don’t show any symptoms of West Nile Virus. Around 20 percent of people will develop flu-like symptoms, including:
- Fever
- Head and body aches
- Joint pains
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Rash
About one percent of people with West Nile Virus develop severe neurologic effects, which are sometimes permanent or fatal. Symptoms of severe West Nile Virus include:
- High fever
- Neck stiffness
- Disorientation
- Coma
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Paralysis
There is no specific treatment for West Nile Virus. Most people recover completely, although fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months.
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