West Nile virus monitoring in mosquitoes and birds has ended in Utah for 2003 and will resume next spring. Mosquitoes in Utah are preparing to hibernate, so the risk of infection for birds, horses, and humans is going down. This means that the public does not need to report any more dead birds this year. Public health agencies will continue to watch for additional human or horse cases.

In the U.S., most states experience an increase in West Nile virus activity the year after its first detection. Utah expects West Nile virus will return in 2004 and may have a greater impact on humans, birds, and animals. Public health officials are planning and preparing for such a situation. Next spring, West Nile virus monitoring and testing will resume with testing "sentinel" chickens, mosquitoes, horses, and dead birds reported by the public. As always, clinicians and laboratories that detect and report the virus infection in people will be an important part of West Nile virus tracking. The "Fight the Bite" public education campaign will also resume in the spring and run through the time period of highest risk.

The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) would like to thank everyone that reported dead birds this year. The monitoring of West Nile virus was successful this summer, due in large part to public interest and concern. Public health officials identified West Nile virus in birds, mosquitoes, and horses before finding any human infections. The detection of West Nile virus led to mosquito control measures and more intense public education. These measures reduced human exposure to West Nile virus.

Nine Utah counties (Carbon, Duchesne, Emery, Grand, Millard, Sanpete, Uintah, Utah, and Wayne) found West Nile virus by the end of the 2003 mosquito season. One Utah resident acquired West Nile virus infection in Uintah County this year. For up-to-date information on West Nile virus case counts and testing numbers, please visit www.health.utah.gov/wnv.

The UDOH would like to thank and acknowledge our partners, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, 12 Utah local health departments, local mosquito abatement districts, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, health care professionals, laboratories, veterinarians, zoos, and aviaries, for helping with the tracking and monitoring of West Nile virus in Utah.

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The Utah Geological Survey will be celebrating Earth Science Week during October 20-24, 2003 by offering hands-on science activities for educational groups. The goal of Earth Science Week, now celebrated throughout the nation as well as in other countries, is to increase public understanding and appreciation of the Earth sciences.

Launched six years ago by the American Geological Institute (AGI), efforts have grown on local, national, and international levels to highlight the vital role Earth sciences play in society’s use of resources and interaction with the environment.

The hands-on activities offered at the UGS typically include gold panning, observing erosion and deposition with a stream table, identifying rocks and minerals, and touring the paleontology lab. Careful planning - led by Carolyn Olsen, Core Research Center Curator - has enabled the UGS to accommodate over 500 students during the week, and this year we may be able to squeeze in as many as 800 students for their 1 1/2 -hour experience here! Contact Carolyn (537-3359) to make a reservation. Time slots fill up quickly, so some groups may have to schedule for next year.

Earth Science Week Declaration (.doc) from Michael O. Leavitt, Utah Governor

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