West Nile Virus

There's been a lot of hype around the globe surrounding the Zika virus. Here's what you need to know about this global phenomenon. Zika virus is spread by animal or insect bites/stings, and Zika fever (caused by the virus) can't be cured (but treatment may help)...

The Larimer County Health department is reporting the first hospitalized case of West Nile Virus in Larimer County, as well as infections in two blood donors.

West Nile virus continues to be a concern around northern Colorado, so Larimer County will spray southeast Fort Collins for mosquitoes again on the evening of Aug. 18.

The news that Larimer County is spraying for mosquitoes within Fort Collins city limits has some people on-edge; but a local man who lived through a nasty form of West Nile virus is all for it.

Ah, Summer in northern Colorado.  Beautiful weather, breathtaking mountain vistas...and mosquitoes carrying terrible diseases.

The City of Fort Collins will continue spraying for mosquitoes. Last night the City Council approved several changes to the city’s West Nile Virus Management Plan, including setting the criteria for spraying.

If you've been spending some time outdoors you know the mosquitoes are out and in full force. What many don't know is West Nile is a here to stay.

Eeek. According to NoCO5, "The presence of West Nile Virus in Culex mosquitoes, the type of mosquitoes that can carry the virus, has nearly quadrupled since last week." This means you're at a higher risk of contracting the virus and the City of Fort Collins may start spraying to control the mosquitoes population and spread of the virus.

I had graduated high school before West Nile virus was found in the United States, but now we have headlines about the virus popping up every summer. And, according to the Coloradoan, Larimer County's first case has already been confirmed (A month earlier than "normal").