Ada County Resident Tests Positive For West Nile Virus

An Ada County man in his 30’s has tested positive for acute, West Nile virus infection. He is the first Ada County resident with laboratory-confirmed, West Nile infection reported to the Health Department in 2008. The individual was not hospitalized and is recovering.

West Nile virus is usually spread through the bite of an infected mosquito and is not generally spread from person-to-person or from infected animals to people. About 80 percent of people who are bitten by an infected mosquito will not become sick, but others may experience a flu-like illness that can include fever, headaches, body aches, dizziness and fatigue. For some people the virus may lead to serious illness requiring hospitalization. On rare occasion death may occur.

To protect themselves from mosquito bites people should:

“Fight the Bite” by applying insect repellent containing DEET or other EPA-approved repellents to exposed skin and clothing. Follow instructions on the product label, especially for children;
Insect-proof their homes by repairing or replacing screens; and
Reduce standing water or change water weekly in bird baths or decorative ponds that provide mosquito breeding habitat.
Cover up exposed skin when outdoors; and
Avoid mosquitoes when they are most active at dawn and dusk.

Additional information about the virus is available from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s web site at www.westnile.idaho.gov or by calling the West Nile virus hotline1-877-333-9681. Information is also available on the Central District Health Department website.