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Bear River Health confirms first human case of West Nile Virus in Box Elder County

A mosquito on a person's skin.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
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Unsplash

The Bear River Health Department has confirmed the first human case of West Nile Virus for 2024 within the Bear River Health District. The patient is from Box Elder County. To protect their privacy, no further personal details will be released.

West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected by feeding on birds that carry the virus. The virus can cause illness ranging from mild, flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, to severe neurological complications in rare cases.

In the past month, mosquito abatement teams in Box Elder and Cache Counties have reported multiple West Nile Virus-positive mosquito traps. Additional positive traps are expected in the coming days and weeks. The health department warns that since mosquitoes can travel several miles, everyone in the region should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites and reduce the risk of WNV exposure.

 Mosquitoes kill more people than any other creature in the world.  So the key is — try not to get bitten.
Cavan Images
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Getty
Mosquitos love heat. And as summers get warmer, mosquito-borne illnesses are rising, in the U.S., Europe, and South and Central America. Here are some tips to protect yourself.

At 14-years-old, Kerry began working as a reporter for KVEL “The Hot One” in Vernal, Utah. Her radio news interests led her to Logan where she became news director for KBLQ while attending Utah State University. She graduated USU with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and spent the next few years working for Utah Public Radio. Leaving UPR in 1993 she spent the next 14 years as the full time mother of four boys before returning in 2007. Kerry and her husband Boyd reside in Nibley.