West Nile found in Yavapai, Pima Counties
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 16, 2003 07:20 PM
West Nile virus has been found in mosquitoes in Yavapai and Pima counties
for the first time, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.
State health officials said Tuesday that mosquitoes trapped Aug. 14 between
Chino Valley and Paulden tested positive for the virus, which is carried
by birds and transmitted to other animals and humans by mosquitoes.
They also confirmed the virus was found in floodwater mosquitoes in Pima
County at the Kitt Peak Observatory on the Tohono O'odham Reservation.
So far, 3,541 people across the country have been infected with West Nile
virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Only
one Arizona resident has been infected, and officials believe he caught the
virus elsewhere.
Overall, the risk of contracting the West Nile virus is minimal, health officials
say.
About 80 percent of those infected will not show any symptoms. Those who
develop symptoms usually display mild ones like fever, body aches, nausea,
swollen glands or skin rashes.
About one in 150 people will develop severe illness, including symptoms such
as disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsion and paralysis.
So far, mosquitoes or animals in nine Arizona counties have tested positive
for West Nile.