If you’re living in Colorado, you’ve probably heard about Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV), especially as the warmer months roll in. These are both mosquito-borne diseases that can have serious effects on your health, but the good news is that there are ways to protect yourself and reduce the risks.

Western Equine Encephalitis is a virus spread primarily by mosquitoes, particularly those in the Culex species. If a mosquito carrying the virus bites you, there’s a chance you could get infected. Many people who catch the virus don’t even realize it because they don’t show any symptoms. However, for some, especially young children and older adults, the virus can cause severe neurological problems. This can include high fever, headaches, confusion, seizures, and in the worst cases, paralysis or even death .

While it sounds scary, it’s important to remember that severe cases are rare. Still, being informed and taking steps to protect yourself can make a big difference.

West Nile Virus (WNV) is another mosquito-borne illness that’s been making headlines in Colorado. Like WEE, it’s spread through mosquito bites, often from the same Culex species. Most people who get WNV don’t have any symptoms, but around 20% might feel like they have the flu—fever, headache, and body aches. A very small percentage can develop severe neurological issues, similar to WEE, including encephalitis or meningitis​ .

Colorado sees its fair share of WNV outbreaks every year, thanks to its climate and environment, which are perfect for mosquito breeding during the warmer months.

So, what can you do to protect yourself from these viruses? The most effective way to reduce your risk is to avoid mosquito bites in the first place. This means taking a few simple steps:

1. Use mosquito repellent: Go for EPA-registered repellents, which are proven to be effective.
2. Wear long sleeves and pants: Especially during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
3. Check your screens: Make sure all windows and doors have intact screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
4. Eliminate standing water: Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so check around your home for any potential breeding grounds—flower pots, gutters, bird baths, you name it.

This is where professional services, like those from OBEX, come into play. We can help manage mosquito populations in your area, significantly reducing the number of mosquitoes that can spread WEE and WNV. While we all can take steps to protect ourselves, having experts handle mosquito control adds an extra layer of protection.

Both Western Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus are serious health concerns, especially during mosquito season. Understanding the risks and knowing how to protect yourself can help keep you and your loved ones safe. Combine personal preventive measures with professional mosquito control, and you’ve got a solid plan to reduce the risk of these diseases.

For more detailed information on mosquito-borne diseases and prevention strategies, visit the CDC’s mosquito control page .

By keeping informed and staying vigilant, we can all contribute to a safer, healthier community.

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Four+℠, Six+℠ and Six Pro℠: Twelve-month (12) agreement required. Early cancel fee may apply. All OBEX 365℠ plans: Spot treatment re-services requests may require waiting period, due to local, state and/or federal regulatory laws of pesticide applications or other routing conflicts. At its sole discretion, OBEX may limit the amount of free applications a customer may receive, and does not guarantee a specific timeframe requested by the customer may be available. Active pest issue must be occurring at the time of request, and visit requires someone over 18 to be present for the entire treatment.

* Service does not include the control or prevention of wood infesting organisms such as termites, powder post beetles, wood borers, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, wood wasps, or wood decay fungus. OBEX will treat for wasp nests on homes; however, we do not guarantee for flying insects. See Pest Control Service Agreement for additional information and limitations.

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