September 8, 2008

Two More Elmore County Residents Test Positive for West Nile Virus

On Friday September 5th Central District Health Department (CDHD) announced the first laboratory-confirmed case of human West Nile virus infection in Elmore County this year. Today CDHD is announcing two more human cases of West Nile infection in Elmore County. The two latest cases are both male, one in his twenties the other in his teens. Neither was hospitalized and both are recovering from West Nile fever. The seemingly sudden rise in cases from Elmore County follows mosquito surveillance data indicating that four sites in Elmore County harbor mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus. The 2008 statewide total for West Nile virus infections now totals 27, with two of the cases being the more serious neuroinvasive form of the disease. This is far less than 2006 when Idaho led the nation in the number of human West Nile cases at just over a thousand.

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;
• Reduce standing water on their property that provides mosquito breeding habitat, such as bird baths and decorative ponds;
• 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 website or by calling the West Nile virus hotline at 1-877-333-9681. Information is also available on the Central District Health Department website.