CASPER, Wyo. — After the worst year for West Nile virus in Wyoming since 2013, with 27 cases and four deaths in 2023 alone, the Wyoming Weed and Pest Council is extending a series of tips to all Wyoming residents on how to reduce their chances. about contracting this rare disease in preparation for what could be another active year.
According to the Wyoming Department of Health, only three cases of West Nile virus in humans were reported in 2022. The following year, that number would increase to 27, putting Wyoming’s 4.8 cases per 100,000 residents well above from the national average of 0.7 in 2023, according to a statement from the Wyoming Weed and Pest Council. The four deaths from the virus in 2023 were the first the state has seen since 2018.
The Wyoming Weed and Pest Council said in the release that spring is the catalyst for increased mosquito populations. The warmer climate and greater accessibility to standing water produced by the characteristic spring thaw create ideal conditions for insects to reproduce.
And while many mosquito species produce only relatively benign, itchy bites, others can harbor West Nile virus, a potentially deadly disease.
The Wyoming Weed and Pest Council also recognizes that horses are at considerable risk for contracting the virus, with 50 equine cases in 2023. Only one case in horses occurred in 2022.
These numbers also constitute only what has been reported. According to Sheridan County Assistant Pest and Weed Supervisor Brian Songer in an interview with Oil City News, the largest number of cases reported last year came from areas with the ability to test for the virus. Certainly, there are areas within the state remote enough to prevent accurate and comprehensive testing that would likely make the actual number of cases higher than reported, Songer said.
Weed and Pest’s efforts to control and monitor mosquito populations
The Wyoming Weed and Pest Council and the Sheridan County Weed and Pest District have partnered with the City of Sheridan to conduct and plan efforts to control the mosquito population before it reaches its highest level. According to Songer, the collected larvae arrive in significant quantities.
“We bring them back to our office and observe their development daily and try to determine when the adults will begin to be born,” Songer said in the statement.
Through collection, Weed and Pest attempts to predict what type of adult mosquito will affect the area.
“By doing this, we can predict when we will start seeing adults and whether they are just a nuisance or carrying West Nile virus.”
Songer said there are two schools of thought about why concern about West Nile virus in mosquitoes is trending in the coming years.
“Because we had West Nile virus last year, it is likely to carry over to this year because the mosquitoes that carry the virus, Culex (Tarsalis), overwinter as adults. They could carry the virus from year to year,” Songer said.
Songer said the second possibility for why West Nile virus could remain a statewide concern is that birds that consume mosquitoes could then transmit the disease to humans and horses. However, he added that if this were the case, the birds least resistant to the disease would have died last year, leaving only the most resistant individuals. That would mean there would be a little less concern about transmission to humans.
“We are very concerned that the trend will continue and that is why we have intensified our program, trying to go out and predict where the mosquitoes are and make our larval treatments more effective,” Songer said in the statement.
What can Wyoming residents do to protect themselves and prevent contraction?
Because there is still considerable concern about West Nile virus in the state, the Wyoming Weed and Pest Council suggests residents take some steps to limit the mosquito population in their area.
Minimize sources of stagnant water
The Weed and Pest Council recognizes things from buckets and old tires to full ponds as potential breeding grounds. Any place where standing water can accumulate is a concern. This includes overly irrigated soils in overwatered pastures, as well as clogged sewers.
Prevent bites
Mosquito-proof or long-sleeved clothing goes a long way toward preventing mosquitoes from biting. The Weed and Pest Council also encourages Wyomingites to treat boots, pants and socks with approved insect repellent.
Protects arms and legs of small children.
Make sure to apply repellent to babies and children. The advice suggests using your hands to apply the repellent to avoid sensitive areas such as eyes, mouth and cuts. Apply repellent after sunscreen, not before.
Vaccinate horses against West Nile virus
The Wyoming Weed and Pest Council suggests this be done in the spring. The council also recommends using fans and horse sprays and recommends storing them during dawn and dusk.
Know the symptoms of West Nile virus
Most West Nile virus carriers may not have symptoms. Those experiencing symptoms may have headaches, fever, nausea, joint pain, diarrhea and skin rashes, according to the Center for Disease Control. The Wyoming Weed and Pest Council encourages residents experiencing symptoms to seek out their doctor and inform the council if any humans or animals on their property are diagnosed.
Communicating and organizing locally can limit shrinkage and increase awareness.
In addition to efforts to monitor the risk West Nile virus has in Wyoming this year, Songer said Sheridan County is weeding and is in communication with other local organizations to stay up to date on what Sheridan, Ranchester and Dayton are facing. . She added that she has seen similar communication efforts in other counties.
“Everyone is communicating. “Everyone is aware that there is potential and they are looking for the symptoms,” Songer said. “I think that same idea is pretty prevalent throughout the state. Teton County, Cheyenne, Laramie – all those places have similar programs.”
That information is then funneled to the Wyoming Department of Health, where it is distributed to emergency management coordinators and used to benefit and assist communities across the state, Songer said.
For more information about possible symptoms of West Nile virus, see the CDC webpage on the virus. To report cases or concerns about West Nile virus, contact the Wyoming Weed and Pest Council through the council’s contact page.
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