First case of West Nile virus in a human since 2015 confirmed in Mesa County

A Mesa County resident has tested positive for West Nile virus for the first time in three years, according to health officials.

The case follows an increase in Culex mosquitoes in Mesa County. This type of mosquito carries West Nile virus, according to a Tuesday news release by Mesa County Public Health.

“We’ve seen more Culex mosquitoes this year than in the past three years,” Epidemiology Program Manager Heidi Dragoo is quoted as saying in the news release.

Limiting Culex mosquito populations and preventing mosquito bites are the best ways to prevent the spread of West Nile virus, Dragoo said.

Read the full story from The Denver Post.