Bear River Health issues West Nile Virus alert for Box Elder County

Mar 12, 2024

BRIGHAM CITY – The Bear River Health Department (BRHD) reports today that Box Elder County Mosquito Abatement has found that three mosquito traps in the area have tested positive for West Nile Virus.

BRHD is advising the public to take precautions to minimize the risk of contracting West Nile virus, particularly on a weekend filled with many outdoor activities, including the Box Elder County Fair and Rodeo.

The State Health Department said Utah has dealt with more mosquitoes this summer than in recent memory, likely due to the abundant snow and spring rain which leads to more standing water for mosquitoes to breed.

In July Salt Lake City reported its mosquito population is twice as high this year, compared to the area’s average the last five years.

West Nile virus can cause mild to severe illness, including flu-like symptoms, fever, headache, body aches, and in rare cases neurological complications.

Most people infected with West Nile virus either don’t develop signs or symptoms or have only minor ones. But severe signs or symptoms, such as severe headache, fever or disorientation or sudden weakness, require immediate attention.

BRHD officials remind people to use EPA-registered insect repellant, wear protective clothing including long-sleeved shirts and long pants, eliminate standing water, maintain screened areas, check for symptoms and try to avoid peak mosquito activity times of dawn and dusk.

Randy Sessions of Box Elder County Mosquito Abatement agreed mosquito populations are up all over Utah.

“But numbers of the Culex Tarsalis mosquitoes, which carry the West Nile virus, are not any higher in our county than our five-year averages,” said Sessions.

Regular testing in Cache and Rich counties has not led to positive tests for West Nile virus.

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