THE STATE OF COLORADO HAS CONFIRMED THE FIRST DEATH FROM WEST NILE VIRUS IN 2023. THAT FATALITY WAS CONFIRMED IN WELD COUNTY. THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAYS 12 PEOPLE HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR WEST NILE. WEST NILE IS TRANSMITTED THROUGH MOSQUITO BITES. MOST PEOPLE DO NOT DEVELOP SYMPTOMS. HOWEVER, 1 IN 5 WHO GET WEST NILE HAVE FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS. IN 2022 20 PEOPLE DIED FROM WEST NILE. HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY WEAR LONG PANTS AND LONG SLEEVE SHIRTS, AND USE INSECT REPELLENT THAT CONTAINS DEET. COLORADO HAS HAD RECORD RAINFALL SINCE APRIL WHICH HAS GREATLY INCREASED THE MOSQUITO POPULATION.
