West Nile hits Utah

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    By Bonnie Boyd

    The West Nile virus claimed a Uintah County man as its first Utahn casualty Sept. 3.

    Though this is the first confirmed death, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention said 23 human infections have already been recorded in Utah.

    Victim Shirley Dale Cook?s symptoms began Aug. 5. Cook, 72, developed neurological symptoms of inflammation of the brain and memory loss. He was placed on life support for a week at St. Mark?s Hospital in Salt Lake City where he passed away on Sept.3.

    Joseph Shaffer of the TriCounty Health Department, in Vernal, said for most people, the risk of serious illness from West Nile virus is low. He cautioned residents to take precautions in protecting themselves and their families.

    ?For four years we have held community lectures, passed out advertisement papers and pamphlets about the risk of West Nile here in Utah trying to educate residence,? Shaffer said.

    According to the Utah Department of Health, those who are infected with the virus rarely develop serious symptoms or become sick. Only one in five people infected suffer symptoms of the flu that might last up to two weeks. Real concerns should begin when problems are found in the brain or spinal cord. Age seems to play a part in how serious the infection will be.

    ?Children are susceptible because their immune systems are not fully developed. The elderly also have weakened immune systems,? Shaffer said.

    The Center for Disease Control and Prevention said in the year 2004 that 100 people died, out of 2,539 cases of the West Nile virus.

    Mosquitoes are most active in August, but the chances of becoming infected will linger until the end of October. But in the end, no one is completely safe.

    ?Cooling weather helps reduce the chances, but there is always a risk, even though it might be lessening,? Shaffer said.

    Utahns can take precautions, by wearing bug repellent, or long sleeved clothes when spending time outdoors. Mosquitoes are most active near water; DEET is a smart way to stay safe and protected. In order to reduce the chances of mosquitoes empty any still water near by. Placing a filter that moves the water will lessen the probability of mosquitoes.

    If BYU students are concerned, the BYU Health Center is ready to treat the West Nile virus.

    ?Students can come here and be seen for just about anything,? said Julie Roberts, working for the administration at the BYU Health Center. ?We have very qualified doctors, and state of the art equipment. Students definitely can come here.?

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