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Boulder County Public Health and Lafayette officials confirmed on Tuesday that a mosquito pool in the Lafayette area has tested positive this week for West Nile Virus.

While mosquito counts have been on the rise, this is the first detection of the virus in the Lafayette area this year.

Earlier this month, officials announced that mosquitoes in a mosquito pool near The Shores apartments in northwest Longmont tested positive for the virus.

West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes have also been confirmed in Larimer County this year.

Lafayette contracts with Colorado Mosquito Control (CMC) to conduct surveillance of adult mosquito populations and to provide limited adult mosquito control when “disease and annoyance levels” have been surpassed.

While maintaining a balanced use of cultural, biological, and least-toxic chemical procedures that are environmentally compatible and economically feasible, the goal is to provide the greatest level of control of pest and disease vector mosquito populations, according to officials.

Culex mosquitoes increase in number as temperatures rise. Human infection of West Nile Virus can occur without symptoms. It can also cause mild to severe illness including fever, extreme fatigue, as well as head and body aches. In extreme cases may result in chronic disability, tremors, vision loss, paralysis or even result in death.

Boulder County Public Health and Lafayette officials urge residents to use DEET-enhanced insect repellent, dress in long sleeves and pants, avoid the outdoors from dusk to dawn, and to drain standing water outside of homes.

Mosquito problems or issues may be reported by calling Colorado Mosquito Control at 877-276-4306 or by visiting their website at comosquitocontrol.com.

Anthony Hahn: 303-473-1422, hahna@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/_anthonyhahn