West Nile virus season is here

The first indications of West Nile virus activity in Idaho this year are prompting state health officials to remind people to take precautions against mosquito bites.

Idaho Department of Health & Welfare reported several instances of West Nile:

• A man in his 50s was hospitalized in southeastern Idaho last week with a West Nile Virus infection;

• Gem County Mosquito Abatement District recently reported a positive test for the virus in mosquitoes collected from the Emmett area;

• A Nevada resident potentially contracted a West Nile infection while recently visiting Ada County.

Last year, three Idahoans were reported to have contracted the disease.

In 2006, Idaho led the nation in West Nile illnesses with almost 1,000 infections which contributed to 23 deaths.

Leslie Tengelsen, deputy state epidemiologist, is encouraging residents to include mosquito repellent in their outdoor plans.

"Mosquitoes are plentiful this time of year and this is a good warning for people to take precautions to avoid their bites," Tengelsen said. "West Nile virus is part of our ecosystem and can cause serious illness. We also know that infection is possible when mosquitoes are active, and they are active right now."

West Nile virus is usually contracted from the bite of an infected mosquito; it is not spread from person-to-person through casual contact. Symptoms of infection often include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach, and back.

In some cases the virus can cause severe illness, especially in people over the age of 50.

To reduce the likelihood of infection, people are advised to avoid mosquitoes, particularly between dusk and dawn when they are most active. In addition, residents should:

• Cover up exposed skin when outdoors and apply DEET or other EPA-approved insect repellent to exposed skin and clothing. Carefully follow instructions on the product label, especially for children;

• Insect-proof homes by repairing or replacing screens;

• Reduce standing water on property. Check and drain toys, trays or pots which may hold water and change bird baths and static decorative ponds weekly as they may provide a suitable mosquito breeding habitat.

West Nile virus does not usually affect domestic animals, including dogs and cats, but 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 more information, visit www.westnile.idaho.gov.