St Louis Encephalitis detected in Salt Lake mosquitoes

St Louis Encephalitis virus has been found in Salt Lake County mosquitoes, marking the first northern Utah detection.

St Louis Encephalitis detected in Salt Lake mosquitoes

Health officials say the St Louis Encephalitis virus has been found in mosquitoes in Salt Lake County. The CDC confirms this year marks the first detection of the virus in northern Utah. Earlier detections occurred in southern Utah and in Millard County, with birds in Utah County noted in 2005 and a human case in 2016 whose source was not determined. Mosquitoes from several county locations tested positive, and authorities urge residents to take precautions since mosquitoes can travel miles.

Symptoms of the virus resemble those of West Nile virus; most people do not have symptoms. When they occur, symptoms can include fever, headache, vomiting and fatigue, and a small share may develop a neuroinvasive form that can cause tremors, disorientation or paralysis. Like West Nile, SLEV can cause long term disability or death in rare cases. There is no vaccine or medicine for SLEV, so prevention rests on avoiding bites. Officials recommend using EPA registered repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants after dusk, draining standing water in yards, clearing debris from gutters, and cutting weeds and tall grass to reduce shaded resting sites. Health officials say residents should stay cautious until the first frost.

This report highlights a broader public health pattern: rare viruses can surface when surveillance networks meet shifting weather and wildlife patterns. The Salt Lake County findings show that mosquito borne threats are ongoing and require constant attention, not a one off warning. With no vaccine, the community depends on clear guidance and steady funding for vector control and testing.

The story also tests how authorities communicate risk. Clear, practical steps matter as much as the urgency. Sustained investment in surveillance, mosquito control and clinician awareness will shape how seriously residents take the threat and how quickly public health can respond to new detections.

Highlights

Public health work thrives on clear information and steady support from the community.