West Nile Virus Update - Following New York's advisory on July 5, which reminded residents about the dangers posed by mosquitoes after two counties have confirmed West Nile virus cases, more U.S. states are now broadening their monitoring efforts as more cases of mosquito-borne infections emerged.

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Colorado's Pueblo County, New England's Vermont and North Dakota have expanded its monitoring for West Nile Virus. In the United States, summer often brings the influx of pesky mosquitoes, which poses more risks for mosquito-borne infections such as West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis virus.

In Pueblo, Colorado, no human cases have been reported yet, but West Nile virus has been found in mosquitoes. According to Fox21 News, Pueblo City-County Health Department officials said one man in Mesa County in Western Colorado was diagnosed with the virus.

"West Nile virus develops in the human body within 5-14 days after a bite from an infected mosquito," health officials said in a statement. "All forms of West Nile virus can be serious including fever, meningitis and encephalitis, and have potential for causing long-term illness and disability."

This year, Vermont, New England has expanded its monitoring for West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encepahlities (EEE) virus to all 14 counties following the deaths of two people in 2012. Chron has learned that the state added testing in Essex County in northeastern Vermont and the southern county of Bennington and also employed two more staff. They have now a total of eight workforces.

"Last year we're just spread pretty thin. We couldn't get up to Essex County or down into Bennington County because they're both pretty far away. So we're there now. We have more staffing and we have more people identifying mosquitoes," state entomologist Alan Graham said.

Vermont's monitoring efforts have grown from a part-time program before 2012 to a full state survey this 2015. The expanded effort is funded by a $525,250 general fund appropriation, which is to help eradicate mosquitoes in the Brandon, Leicester, Salisbury and Goshen areas and for potential aerial pesticide spraying for disease threat reductions.

North Dakota's Department of Health, on the other hand, has confirmed the first human case of West Nile Virus this year. ABC Eyewitness News revealed that the department also found two mosquito pools from Grand Forks County that have tested positive for the virus.

In line with the increasing cases of mosquito-borne virus, officials strongly advise residents to take precautions against mosquito bites by avoiding outdoor activities at dusk and dawn, wearing long sleeves and pants, and using effective insect repellant.

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