Broomfield Health and Human Service Dept. officials reported today that the state has confirmed the detection of the West Nile virus in Colorado, but say that no human cases have been reported, and there may not be human cases anytime in the near future.

According to John Pickle, Public Health Officer with Broomfield Health and Human Services, " It was anticipated that West Nile virus would reach Colorado eventually. The Public Health Unit of HHS, as well as other City and County Departments are prepared."

Pickle said the news of the virus is "not a cause for panic." Broomfield’s Public Works Department has an ongoing mosquito control program, he said, and the city is currently looking at enhancing mosquito control activities.

" We are working together at the local and state levels to inform the public and to make recommendations that will protect the health of the citizens," Pickle said. But residents who own horses should contact their veterinarian to arrange for necessary vaccinations, he said.

The virus reported found in Weld and Pueblo counties was the first detection of the virus in the state. The virus has been moving across the United States from east to west since striking New York City in the summer of 1999. In Colorado, three horses were tested for the disease after they became ill. One of two Weld County horses and a Pueblo County horse died. The second Weld County horse is recovering. The dead crow was found in a residential area in Greeley.

The testing of specimens from the horses, which helped to confirm the arrival of the disease in Colorado, was completed at noon on Thursday. Testing was conducted jointly by the Department of Public Health and Environment’s laboratory in Denver, the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s laboratory in Lakewood, and the Weld County Health Department laboratory in Greeley.

According to Dr. Ned Calonge, the state’s acting chief medical officer and state epidemiologist at the Department of Public Health and Environment, humans, most of whom will not become ill, can be infected with West Nile virus when bitten by a mosquito that is carrying blood from an infected bird. Mosquitoes also infect horses.

John Pape, an epidemiologist who specializes in animal-related diseases for the state department’s Disease Control and Environmental Epidemiology Division, said that the detection of the virus in the animals in the two Colorado counties would indicate that West Nile virus is being spread throughout the state by migrating birds and mosquitoes. The virus recently was detected in animals in Colorado’s neighboring states of Nebraska and Kansas. There have been no human cases in either of those states.

Calonge said, "The chances that any one person is going to become ill from a mosquito bite is extremely low. Although most people do not become ill, those who do, the time between the mosquito bite and the onset of symptoms ranges from 5-15 days. Most individuals suffer from a fever, headaches and lethargy for 2-7 days before they recover."

Calonge explained further that people who do become more seriously ill with encephalitis as a result of being infected with West Nile virus tend to be 50 years of age and older. "Serious illnesses and deaths from this disease tend to occur in older individuals," he said.

To protect from West Nile virus, Dr. Calonge urged Coloradoans to limit outside activity around dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are actively feeding. He said this is particularly important for older adults and small children.

Dr. Calonge also suggested that when going outside, people should wear protective clothing, such as lightweight, long pants and long-sleeved shirts, and should apply insect repellant containing DEET to exposed skin. Products with 10 percent or less DEET are recommended for children.

Other actions recommended by Calonge and Pape include:

• Make certain that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes in them.

• Drain all standing water on private property, no matter how small an amount.

• Stock permanent ponds or fountains with fish that eat mosquito larvae.

• Change water in birdbaths or wading pools and empty flowerpot saucers of standing water at least once a week.

• Check around faucets and air conditioner units and repair leaks or puddles that remain for several days.

• Make certain roof gutters drain properly and remove any standing water under or around structures or on flat roofs.

• Remove items that could collect water such as old tires, buckets, empty cans and food and beverage containers.

Colorado’s state and local health departments have been monitoring for West Nile virus for the past two years.

Blood samples are taken frequently from May through September each year from 23 sentinel chicken flocks, located throughout the state, to check for mosquito-related diseases. Those diseases include West Nile virus; Western Equine encephalitis; and St. Louis encephalitis. However, a complete round of tests on all 23 sentinel chicken flocks, which was completed Tuesday, did not show any evidence of West Nile virus.

The number and types of mosquitoes in an area of the state also are monitored by local officials with sample mosquitoes being tested for the presence of viruses.

Dead birds from the corvid family also are being submitted by local health departments, county public health nursing services and local animal control agencies to the Department of Public Health and Environment’s laboratory in Denver for testing for West Nile virus.

If any such birds, specifically crows, magpies, ravens and jays, are found within 48 hours of the time of death, they should be kept cool or frozen and then submitted to local health departments, county public health nursing services or local animal control agencies across Colorado. Gloves or a shovel should be used to pick up the dead animal and to place them in a plastic bag.

Pape emphasized that dead birds, such as sparrows, starlings, pigeons, finches, robins and blackbirds, are not currently being tested.