POCATELLO — Mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus were detected in Bannock County on Thursday, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
The infected mosquitoes, which have been collected by the Bannock County Mosquito Abatement District, were the first to be detected in the state this year.
“Although this first detection in 2017 occurred in eastern Idaho, (West Nile virus) has been detected in most counties since it was introduced into the state in 2004; the majority of detections have been in central and southwestern Idaho,” a press release from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare said.
The press release also said that virus is usually contracted from the bite of an infected mosquito. However, it is not spread from person-to-person through casual contact.
Symptoms often include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph glands and skin rash. The virus can cause serious illness, especially for people over the age of 50. In some case, it can be deadly.
Last year, nine people and 10 horses were infected by the virus in Idaho. However, there were no reported human deaths from West Nile virus in the state.
“Disease-carrying mosquitoes will be around now until a killing frost so it is critical that you protect yourselves and your family members from their bite,” Dr. Leslie Tengelsen, from the Idaho Division of Public Health, said in a news release. “Finding positive mosquitoes in one part of the state is an indication that conditions are right for virus transmission; you should avoid mosquito bites even if tests have not yet confirmed the virus in your local mosquitoes.”
To reduce the likelihood of infection, Idaho officials are advising residents to avoid mosquitoes, particularly between dusk and dawn when they are most active. Other tips for residents to protect themselves include:
- Cover up exposed skin when outdoors and apply DEET or other U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved insect repellent to exposed skin and clothing. Carefully follow instructions on the product label, especially for children. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant or breastfeeding women and children over 6 months old.
- Insect-proof your home by repairing or replacing screens.
- Reduce standing water on your property; check and drain toys, trays or pots outdoors that may hold water and harbor mosquito eggs.
- Change bird baths and static decorative ponds weekly as they may also provide a suitable mosquito habitat.
State health officials also said West Nile virus does not usually affect domestic animals such as dogs and cats, but it can cause severe illness in horses and certain species of birds.
Although there is no vaccine available for people, there are several vaccines available for horses. People are advised to keep their horses vaccinated annually.
For the latest information about West Nile virus in Idaho, visit www.westnile.idaho.gov.
