The Utah County Health Department has found West Nile Virus in a group of mosquitos for the first time this season.
According to the health department, the mosquito pool that tested positive was taken from the area of the county near Lake Shore and northern Palmyra as part of “routine mosquito surveillance.”
“In response, the area received additional treatment immediately following the positive test result,” the department said in a news release. “Since the initial positive test, the same trap location has been tested twice more, with no additional positive results.”
The health department said that while the virus can be dangerous, “severe illness is uncommon” and most people infected do not have symptoms. About one in five, however, get an illness similar to the flu with a fever, headache and body aches, according to the department. In rare cases, the department said the virus can cause “serious neurological complications.”
To help prevent mosquito breeding and bites, the health department encouraged Utah County residents to eliminate standing water, wear clothing with long sleeves when possible, use insect repellent containing DEET and make sure window and door screens are working to keep mosquitos outside.
The news comes within weeks of several measles cases being reported in Utah County. The current number of infections remained at seven as of Monday, according to the Utah Health and Human Services website.
The state’s health department reported measles was found in Provo-area wastewater collected July 7, something the department said was “not a surprise to public health officials,” as it shows the virus is circulating.