Three new cases of West Nile in Boulder County

Three local women have tested positive for West Nile Virus, Boulder County health officials said this afternoon, bringing the total number of cases in the county to four this year. Two of the women are in their 50s and one is in her 30s. Two live in Longmont while the other is in Boulder. The women were diagnosed Thursday with uncomplicated fever and are recovering at home, officials said. While most infections of West Nile Virus are mild, the more serious cases can cause encephalitis, or swelling of the brain, and/or meningitis, or inflammation of the brain's lining. The most serious infections can result in death. A significant number of Culex mosquitoes -- the kind that can carry the virus -- have been reported in traps across Boulder County to date. But none so far have tested positive for carrying the virus. However,... [read full story]