West Nile Cases Are Increasing

Southwest District Health (SWDH) officials have confirmed the first human case of West Nile in Canyon County, as the cases in the state begin to rise. The adult female is in her seventies and lives in Nampa. She is recovering and was not hospitalized. To date, Idaho has three locally-acquired human cases in Canyon, Payette, and Bonneville Counties; and three positive mosquito pools in Canyon, Gem, and Elmore Counties.

SWDH is currently working with the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Oklahoma, the University of Florida, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding a study of the body’s immunity to West Nile. Anyone residing in the Idaho counties of Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, and Washington, who believes they may have West Nile, are eligible under this study to receive free West Nile testing with a written request from their medical provider.

Four out of five people infected with West Nile do not show symptoms. However, people with symptoms may experience fever, headaches, body aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, eye pain, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash typically occurring 3 to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. More severe infections may involve the central nervous system.

Health district officials continue to remind individuals to take personal responsibility to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites. Remember to:

DRAIN any standing water on your property that may produce mosquitoes.
DAWN and DUSK are times for people to avoid the outdoors.
DRESS appropriately by wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors.
DEFEND yourself against mosquitoes by using an insect repellant (follow label directions).
DOOR and window screens should be in good condition to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.

If a person is experiencing symptoms of West Nile, they can contact their local health care provider or Southwest District Health at (208) 455-5442. Individuals may also obtain information by visiting Southwest Health District website or the West Nile website.