A sample of mosquitoes caught in a commercial area in Logan have tested positive for West Nile virus, the city announced Saturday.
The mosquitoes were taken from an area near 1200 West and 1700 North and were analyzed by the state’s Public Health Laboratory, according to a post on the city’s Facebook page.
West Nile virus is most commonly spread to humans from mosquito bites, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are no known cures for the virus, nor preventive medications. The best way to reduce one’s chances of catching the virus is to not get bitten.
While many people don’t show symptoms after contracting the virus, about 1 in 5 will have a fever. About 1 in 150 infected people die from the illness, according to the CDC.
Logan is installing insecticide designed to kill larval and adult mosquitoes.
The city recommends that residents do the following to curb the threat of mosquitoes:
Use mosquito repellent.
Drain standing outdoor water.
Wear long sleeves and pants between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes carrying the virus are most active.
Ensure that door and window screens will keep the insects outside homes.
Cut tall weeds and grass, where adult mosquitoes rest during the day.
Officials last month discovered this year’s first signs of the virus in Utah. Infected mosquitoes were found in Box Elder, Davis and Uintah counties. Now infected mosquitoes have been found in Salt Lake, Duchesne and Kane counties, according to the Utah Department of Health’s most recent West Nile surveillance update.
There have been no reports of human infection.
