Mosquitoes carrying West Nile found in SE Fort Collins

Mosquitoes in Fort Collins and Loveland have tested positive for West Nile virus, the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment announced Tuesday.

Infected mosquitoes were found in five Larimer County traps — three in Fort Collins and in two in Loveland. The traps tested positive for West Nile between June 20 and June 24. All were located in the southern parts of both cities — in Fort Collins near Fossil Creek Reservoir and in Loveland at the old fairgrounds near the Big Thompson River.

Nevertheless, in Fort Collins the measure of infected mosquitoes, known as the vector index, is still well below the level necessary for the city to consider spraying against the virus. The vector index is 0.203 for the southeastern section of town; all other zones of town are still at zero, according to the city. The city will not consider spraying for infected mosquitoes until the vector index reaches 0.75, and until there are at least two confirmed human cases of West Nile.

Experts from Colorado State University, who collaborate with the city and Colorado Mosquito Control on testing infected mosquitoes, have urged the city against waiting to spray until humans become infected because by then it will be too late to curb the virus' spread.

Fort Collins West Nile Virus Program Manager Mike Calhoon said that all residents should be wearing mosquito repellent, particularly when outdoors in the early morning or evening.

"If you don't get bit, you don't get West Nile," Calhoon said in the news release.

A few other Northern Colorado communities have already begun spraying against West Nile, including Longmont and Greeley. Infected mosquitoes have turned up in Platteville and Weld County. To date there have been two human cases of West Nile in Colorado, in Pueblo and Saguache Counties, and one case of horse infection in Adams County.

Below the video: How to prevent mosquito bites

Prevent mosquito bites and reduce breeding areas

• Apply an effective mosquito repellent to exposed skin and clothing to help avoid mosquito bites.

• Wear light colors and loose-fitting fabrics because mosquitoes seem to be attracted to darker colors and can bite through tighter-fitting clothing. Wear a hat to prevent bites to the head.

• Drain any standing water that provides breeding places for mosquitoes. Use a Mosquito Dunk (larvacide) if you have standing water that you cannot drain.

• Avoid over-watering lawns, as mosquitoes can breed in very small amounts of water.

Find the latest updates

• Weekly reports on the number of mosquitoes trapped and the results of virus testing are available at the city website, www.fcgov.com/westnile. The information is updated every Thursday.

• Look at a citywide map of mosquito traps at www.comosquitocontrol.com/FtCollins.html.