First West Nile Virus death in Utah in 2018 confirmed

Health officials have confirmed the first death in Utah caused by the West Nile virus this year.

The Salt Lake County Health Department said in a Wednesday statement that the deceased individual was over the age of 65 and suffered from other health concerns.

The person died last week and was diagnosed with a “more severe” form of the mosquito-borne illness.

The person lived in Salt Lake County.

Six people died from West Nile last year in Utah.

Health officials say so far this summer, the virus has been found in 30 different mosquito groups in Salt Lake County alone.

Health officials advise people use repellents, wear long sleeves and pants after dusk, remove standing water outside homes, clean gutters and keep grass and weeds trimmed short to reduce risk of exposure.