By Ryan Holterhoff
The West Nile Virus, which has caused five deaths in Louisiana this summer, could come to Utah within the next year.
'It will eventually get to all of the Western states over time, we believe,' said Dr. Roy Campbell, a Center for Disease Control medical epidemiologist, at a news conference in Louisiana.
According to the CDC, the mosquito-borne West Nile Virus has now been reported in 34 states and as far west as Nebraska.
Since the virus first appeared in the United States in 1999, there have been 18 deaths resulting from humans contracting the virus.
Locally, the threat of the West Nile Virus is becoming more of a reality.
'I think it is only a matter of time before the virus is in Utah,' said Lewis Marrott, director of the Utah County Mosquito Abatement District.
Currently, the mosquito abatement departments throughout the state are collecting samples of mosquitoes for the Utah Department of Health to be tested for the West Nile Virus, Marrott said.
According to the CDC, mosquitoes transmit the virus to birds and then birds transfer the virus as they migrate.
Because of this transferring process, Utah could see future cases of the virus.
'We definitely have the potential for cases in the future,' said Kenneth Minson, director of the South Salt Lake County division for mosquito abatement. 'There are a lot of birds in the state that migrate south to Texas, Mexico and other areas down South. This only increases the chances of the virus ending up in Utah.'
An abundance of dead birds can be a sign that the West Nile Virus may be in an area, according to the CDC.
'We are also keeping a look out for any dead birds throughout the county, so they can be tested for the probability of the West Nile Virus,' Marrott said.
Both Marrott and Minson said they thought the chances of the virus entering Utah this year were marginal. However, they agree that the virus could become a major threat within the next two years.
According to the CDC, those who become infected may not experience any symptoms or may only suffer from a headache or a slight fever. In extreme cases the virus can cause the brain to swell, which may lead to death, but these cases are rare.
'It seems as though many of the cases are occurring in those who are 50 or older,' said Jenifer Lloyd, epidemiologist for the Utah Department of Health.
No matter what the situation with the mosquitoes is, people can protect themselves by wearing insect repellent, long sleeve shirts and pants, Lloyd said. Avoiding the outdoors during the dawn and dusk hours can be beneficial, she said.