-Dr.Dianne McCallister, Chief Medical Officer at Porter Adventist Hospital

Last week the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported the first case of West Nile Virus this summer.

This disease, spread by mosquitoes, is of concern to us all.

West Nile virus is a disease that is spread through mosquito bites. Mosquitoes bite infected birds, and then have virus in their saliva. These mosquitoes with infected saliva then bite a human.

During the bite, a little saliva goes into the human and brings along the virus.

Interestingly, 80 percent of people who have West Nile virus will not get any symptoms at all.

About 20 percent of people will get mild symptoms - headache, fever, rash on the abdomen, chest and back, as well as muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and swollen glands which can last up to several weeks.

Less than 1 percent will develop severe symptoms including neurologic problems, high fever, stiff neck, loss of vision, confusion, convulsions, coma, and even death.

Even those who recover can have permanent impairment from the severe form of the disease.

Fortunately, the mild cases generally resolve over a few days without any treatment.

However, if you develop a high fever, stiff neck, confusion you should seek immediate medical treatment.

The severe cases of this disease often require hospitalization.

There is a vaccine for horses for West Nile virus. For humans, work is underway to develop a vaccine, but one is not currently available.

The best way to protect your family is to use preventive measures:

Use insect repellant when you are out - particularly in the early morning and evening when mosquitoes tend to bite

Remove standing water from your yard - mosquitoes breed in standing water - look in cans, cracks, birdbaths and wading pools

Install or repair screens on windows

Support local mosquito prevention programs

Report dead birds to local authorities so they can test the birds for West Nile

Dr. McCallister is on 7NEWS at 11 a.m. every Wednesday. If you have a topic or question you would like her to discuss, email 11am@thedenverchannel.com.