First human cases of West Nile virus detected in Denver, Jefferson County this season
There have been over one dozen cases of West Nile in Colorado this year, which has resulted in one death.
According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, West Nile virus has been found in mosquitoes in eight of the 16 counties that have tested mosquitoes this year, including Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld counties. In Fort Collins, the West Nile infection rate in mosquitoes is currently 11 times higher than the historical average, and four times higher than it was in 2023.
The DDPHE is urging residents to take precautions to avoid being bitten by an infected mosquito. Eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed can help prevent an increase in mosquitoes. Officials said it's important to empty and scrub, turn over, cover or throw out items like tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths and trash containers once a week. Cleaning out street and home gutters that may hold water can also help control the mosquito population.
Wearing repellents with DEET, limiting outdoor activity at dawn and dusk and wearing long sleeves and pants outside can all help reduce the risk of being bitten. The city also advised residents to make sure windows and doors have intact screens to keep mosquitoes out and to avoid watering cement or streets, which can create puddles.
Those infected with West Nile virus may feel fatigued and experience fever, headaches, body aches and rashes or swollen lymph nodes. Symptoms usually appear within 3-14 days. Officials warned that, while anyone can be infected, those over 50 or with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of developing serious symptoms. Authorities urged anyone experiencing symptoms to consult their healthcare provider immediately.
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5 things to know for August 6: Epstein files, Vaccine research, Texas redistricting, Gifford Fire, Weather Service
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26 overlooked health essentials to pack for summer vacations, according to doctors and pharmacists
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Dietary supplements are not appropriate for everyone and may interact with other supplements or medications, so talk to your health care provider before adding a dietary supplement to your routine. Solutions for motion sickness Even if you've never experienced motion sickness before, one unexpectedly rough boat ride can bring you to your knees. Gray suggests the following. (back to top) Treating traveler's diarrhea or food poisoning One surefire way to ruin your vacation is to spend your week stuck in the bathroom. Knowledge is key here — do your research to know whether it's considered safe to drink the water at your destination (when in doubt, bottled water is your friend). Also, make sure you pack a few remedies to help you through the symptoms if you find yourself doubled over. (back to top) Preventing bug bites and managing mild skin conditions Ant and mosquito bites, poison ivy and other minor allergic reactions are all relatively common ailments when you're spending a lot of time outside. Hedge your bets and keep your Dopp kit packed with a few essential items. (back to top) Managing the risks of sun exposure Sunny and tropical destinations are a summer travel tradition, but forgetting about the havoc that too much sun exposure can reap is a good way to end up in a world of hurt. (back to top) Preventing colds, flu and other viruses or bacteria No one wants to think about getting sick while on vacation, but as Gottenborg points out, traveling has the potential to expose you to a range of viruses and bacteria. Try to reduce your risk by boosting your immune system and taking steps to limit exposure. Managing aches and pains While these choices are a little more 'typical' when it comes to travel first aid essentials, it's not unusual to forget them in the hustle and bustle of packing. Reducing the effects of sleep disturbances and jet lag Staying on a sleep schedule while on vacation isn't always easy. While some people may get more sleep than usual and come away feeling rested, others may find catching z's a little more difficult. Jet lag, travel anxiety and staying in a strange bed can all contribute to challenges. You may want to consider adding a sleep-supporting supplement to your travel bag. In the event of an emergency... It's always helpful to be prepared for potential emergencies while traveling. Certainly, if you have a risk for anaphylaxis due to known allergens, you should make sure your EpiPen hasn't expired and that it's packed in your carry-on luggage. 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You can repeat every two to three minutes until help arrives (each device only contains one dose, so you may want to have a backup).' And finally, carbon monoxide poisoning is considered the "silent killer" and this colorless, odorless gas can leak from any appliance or part of a home that burns fuels (like a gas-fueled furnace or a wood-burning fireplace). While some states regulate carbon monoxide detectors, others don't. If you're unsure about the protocols where you'll be staying, it's a good idea to pack a travel-friendly detector to help keep yourself and your family safe. Before you go To prepare before your trip (especially if you're traveling internationally), Dr. Shirin Peters of Bethany Medical Clinic in New York City, advises looking at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention travel tool, which allows you to select your travel destination to research which diseases you may encounter. From there, Peters notes, you can get advice on which prescription medications you might need, such as those for malaria or altitude sickness prevention, as well as specific recommended travel vaccines. (She also suggests filling a prescription for traveler's diarrhea when taking a trip to any developing country.) 'When you are getting ready to travel, more information is always better,' adds Ngo-Hamilton. 'You'll want to look up TSA or customs regulations, as well as local laws at your planned destination and anywhere you might stop along the way.' Verify your vaccination status, and update those that are past due A good first step no matter where you're going, says Gottenborg, is to ensure you and your family are up-to-date on vaccinations. 'In particular, it's not too late to get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines, and of course, ensuring you have maintained your MMR given the measles outbreak in travel hot spots in the southwest of our country,' she says. Given the highly contagious nature of the measles virus, the American Medical Association is also urging anyone who isn't vaccinated — young and old alike — to get the shot before traveling. Prep and pack your prescriptions If you need to travel with medications, Gray also has some tips for how to prepare and pack your prescriptions: Keep your medications in carry-on luggage in the original pharmacy bottle in case you run into issues with customs. Have a doctor's note for controlled medications such as Adderall and opioids. If you are traveling across multiple time zones, work with your pharmacist or health care practitioner to adjust the time of some medications such as insulin, thyroid and birth control, as they need to be taken at a consistent time. Always allow two to three days for your prescription to be refilled; don't try to fill your prescriptions the day before you plan to travel. Double-check the storage of your specialty medications, and make a plan for anything that needs to be refrigerated. Don't skimp on sleep Gray and Gottenborg both emphasize sleep as the ultimate prep tool. 'Sleep is important to have an enjoyable time away from home,' Gottenborg notes. Try to optimize sleep before you go, and work with your circadian rhythm, not against it, before traveling. 'Don't pull an all-nighter the night before your trip because you can sleep on the plane or on vacation,' says Gray. 'This increases your chance of coming down with something.' Have insurance, doctor and clinic information at hand Last but not least, Gottenborg recommends double-checking your health insurance coverage (and any travel insurance you may have purchased) so you know what to do in case of an emergency. It's also a good idea to research how to access local health care at your travel destination. Program your phone and any partner's or family members' phones with the emergency response number and a local urgent or emergency care setting number, along with emergency contact information. 'If an emergency or sudden illness arises, you don't want to waste your energy trying to discover these logistics in real time,' she says. And to that end, Peters emphasizes that if you start experiencing certain symptoms, such as prolonged fever and diarrhea, sudden weakness and muscle aches or serious rashes, you shouldn't try to just wait them out. These may be indicative of more serious issues, so it's important to seek medical attention. Meet the experts Emily Gottenborg, MD, internal medicine, University of Colorado Erika Gray, PharmD, co-founder and chief medical officer at ToolBox Genomics and MyToolBox Genomics HaVy Ngo-Hamilton, PharmD, a pharmacist with BuzzRx Purvi Parikh, MD, an immunologist with the Allergy & Asthma Network Shirin Peters, MD, of Bethany Medical Clinic in New York City Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
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