OGDEN — A male resident in the Weber-Morgan health district is in the hospital with the state’s first confirmed case of West Nile virus.

The man is between the ages of 65 and 84 and is hospitalized with neuroinvasive complications of the virus, said Amy Carter, communicable disease and epidemiology nurse at the Weber-Morgan Health Department.

“West Nile can be very tricky because not everyone will have symptoms,” Carter said. “Others may have a fever and feel a little under the weather for a few days, but in this case, this elderly gentleman has neuroinvasive West Nile virus and that is the most serious kind.”

Neuroinvasive West Nile virus can affect the central nervous system, causing meningitis or encephalitis. Symptoms include headache, stiff neck, high fever, disorientation, coma, shaking, convulsions, stupor, muscle weakness and paralysis.

“Like most infections, those with compromised immune systems, the elderly or the very young tend to be at a little higher risk for more severe infection, but it can also happen to anyone, depending on how hard the virus attacks the immune system,” Carter said. “In the past, we’ve had younger, middle-aged adults who are otherwise healthy get pretty sick.”

The human case comes about a month after the virus was found in Utah mosquitoes, with two additional cases under investigation in Weber and Uintah counties.

As of the beginning of this month, 73 positive mosquito pools have been identified in Davis, Tooele, Uintah and Salt Lake counties, as well as two positive horses in Uintah County.

“Mosquito season isn’t over and Utahns should continue to protect themselves from mosquito bites,” said Hannah Rettler, vector-borne/zoonotic epidemiologist with the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. “Many more Utahns could become ill with West Nile virus if they don’t take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites.”

Carter said because of the current heat wave the state is experiencing, mosquitos will continue to lay eggs, producing more of the blood suckers. Mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus typically come out from dusk to dawn.

“It’s really important to wear mosquito repellent when you’re outside, especially from dusk to dawn,” she said. “Repellents containing DEET or those that are EPA approved are recommended. Be sure to read the instructions because some products can be used on the skin while others can only be sprayed on clothing.”

It’s also important to make sure your screens are in good condition, Carter said.

“Make sure you repair any small holes in your screens and doors and also make sure to remove any standing water. If you have bird baths, ponds, waterfalls or fountains, clean them regularly, at least once a week,” Carter said. “There are also several places people might not realize are mosquito havens. They include grass clippings, leaves and tires. Anything that can hold water is a potential breeding ground.”

If you can’t stay inside during dusk and dawn hours, wear long-sleeved pants and shirts as well as socks while outside.

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