September 5, 2008

Elmore County Resident Tests Positive for West Nile Virus

An Elmore County woman in her 30’s has tested positive for West Nile virus infection. She is the first Elmore County resident with laboratory-confirmed, West Nile infection reported to the Central District Health Department in 2008. The woman was not hospitalized and is recovering. With this case the number of confirmed human West Nile virus cases statewide has increased to 25, with two of them being the more serious neuroinvasive form.

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. While this is the first Elmore County resident with laboratory-confirmed West Nile infection, she is probably not the first county resident to have the disease this year. Several Elmore County mosquito pools have tested positive for the presence of West Nile Virus this summer. 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.