West Nile virus-related death reported in Utah as illness spreads across counties
Human West Nile virus cases are increasing along the Wasatch Front, two health agencies reported this week. The spread resulted in one death in Davis County.
As of Wednesday there were three cases of the virus in Davis County, said Trevor Warner, communications manager at the Davis County Health Department. Two of them were neuroinvasive, a severe form of the infection that affects the central nervous system, leading the patients to be hospitalized.
An individual over 60 years old died at the hospital last week, Warner said. It’s the first death related to the virus in the state since 2023.
“(The neuroinvasive form of the virus) can result in some long-term complications or even death,” Warner added. “So, the more severe infections, those will include a high fever, neck stiffness, the person will be disoriented, and in some cases, have tremors or muscle weakness.”
The neuroinvasive virus may also lead to other serious conditions, including meningitis, encephalitis or paralysis, the Utah County Health Department said in a news release Wednesday. However, most people infected with the virus don’t develop symptoms.
The Utah County Health Department reported five probable human cases of the West Nile virus. Four of them are neuroinvasive.
The virus has been confirmed in mosquito pools and human cases across different counties in the state, so local agencies are urging residents to avoid mosquito bites.
Health officials advised wearing insect repellent when outdoors, especially at dawn or dusk, as well as wearing long sleeves, pants and socks at those times, which is when mosquitoes are the most active.
Utahns are also advised to eliminate standing water around homes, even small containers, ensure that doors and windows are screened, and take extra precaution if they are older or immunocompromised to avoid severe illness.
In Davis County, Warner said, residents can call the mosquito abatement district to request an inspection to identify potential issues with standing water or any other sources of mosquitoes. When needed, the district can spray those areas to avoid mosquitoes.
“It’s not uncommon to have West Nile positive pools and have human cases of West Nile. But what is a little uncommon is the amount of neuroinvasive cases, and then the fact that we did have a death,” Warner said.
