Montrose Business Times
Montrose County has reported its first West Nile virus-related death of the year as the number of confirmed cases in the county has climbed above last year’s total.
Montrose County Public Health announced Sept. 9 that an 83-year-old Montrose County woman had died in connection with the virus. Her death was reported Sept. 8.
The county said the State of Colorado had confirmed 10 cases in Montrose County as of earlier this month.
That has already surpassed the number reported during all of 2025. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention historical data show Montrose County recorded nine human West Nile disease cases last year, including six neuroinvasive cases.
One West Nile-related death was reported in the county in 2025.
Last year’s death involved a man in his early 80s. When Montrose County announced that death in August 2025, two cases had been confirmed at that point in the season.
“This is a sad reminder that West Nile Virus can cause serious illness, particularly among older adults and those at higher risk for complications,” Montrose County Public Health Director Jacqueline Davis said in announcing this year’s death. “We encourage residents to continue taking precautions to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites.”
West Nile virus is most commonly transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people who become infected do not develop symptoms, while some experience fever, headaches, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or a rash.
A small percentage of infections can develop into more serious neurological illnesses, including encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, or meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Older adults and people with certain underlying health conditions face a greater risk of severe complications.
Montrose County Public Health is encouraging residents to continue taking precautions while mosquitoes remain active.
Those include using insect repellent, limiting outdoor activity at dusk and dawn and wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts and socks in areas where mosquitoes are active.
Residents are also encouraged to reduce mosquito breeding areas around their homes by draining standing water at least once a week from flowerpots, gutters, tires, birdbaths, toys and other containers. Screens on windows and doors should be installed or repaired, and mosquito dunks can be used in ponds or other standing water where mosquitoes may breed.
Anyone experiencing severe headaches, confusion or other concerning symptoms should seek medical attention.
Montrose County Public Health is offering free mosquito repellent wipes and mosquito dunks while supplies last.
Both are available at the Public Health office at 1845 S. Townsend Ave. in Montrose.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment updates its West Nile virus data each Wednesday.
