The Tooele County Health Department has an active West Nile Virus (WNV) survelience, prevention, and education program.  During the 2008 season, Tooele County had 2 human, 1 sentinel, and 2 mosquito pool postive cases.

West Nile Virus (WNV) was first detected in Utah during the second week of August, 2003 in animals.

• Horses were the main carriers
• One human case was reported later in the year

2004 was the first year WNV was reported in northern Utah and along the Wasatch Front.

During 2005, WNV expanded into more northern regions of the state

• Utah and Uintah counties were the main focal points

The 2006 season was the most active season in the state.

• Wasatch front, Salt Lake and Utah County had most of the cases
• Five fatalities

WNV hit Utah one week earlier in 2007 than 2006, however, activity in 2007 decreased.

• Cases were highest in the northen region
• Cache and Box Elder showed the highest numbers

Surveilance in 2008 began in May.

• WNV was reported during June in a mosquito pool in Washington County
• August and September were the most active months
• Human, horse, wild bird, chicken, and mosquito cases were all reported
• Active survelience has ceased by the end of October
• Testing of suspect human and horse cases continues year-round

2009 data will be provisional with a final case count at the end of the season.

If infected with the virus, most people show no signs or symptoms.  A few people will have flu-like symptoms which mimic influenza.  Populations most at risk of WNV are those who live in areas where the virus is circulating in nature. In the northern states, this occurs during the summer months. In the south, infections may occur year around (because of weather conditions). Here in the the west, the risk of contracting the virus is exceptionally low.