Area man identified with West Nile virus

An Elmore County man has tested positive for West Nile Virus and is now recovering without hospitalization. This is the first case of human West Nile Virus in public health District 4, which is served by Central District Health Department, said Dieuwke Spencer, R.N., epidemiologist for CDHD.

The Elmore County case coincides with the report of a man in his 50s from Gooding County who also has tested positive for the virus. Both men suffered symptoms that included severe muscle aches, joint pain, sweating and fatigue, but did not require hospitalization. Both men reportedly received multiple mosquito bites prior to their illness.

The virus has been identified in birds and animals in Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Gooding and Twin Falls counties. Several horses and an alpaca died or were euthanized due to severe illness from West Nile infection.

In addition, the first bird in Ada County infected with West Nile Virus was reported Sept. 9.

"With the identification of several infected birds and animals in various areas of the state, the virus has unquestionably arrived in Idaho," said Spencer. "Fortunately mosquito season is coming to an end soon, but until it does, people need to take precautions to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites."

Spencer emphasized that people, birds or other animals infected with WNV cannot spread the disease to other humans or horses. The virus, carried by infected birds, is transmitted when a mosquito bites an infected bird and then bites a human or horse.

Most people infected with West Nile Virus have no symptoms or will display a mild flu-like illness. Common symptoms of infection may include: fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, nausea and vomiting, eye pain, skin rash, and enlarged lymph nodes. But the virus can lead to serious illness requiring hospitalization especially in people over the age of 50.

"With just a few weeks of summer left, the best thing people can do to protect themselves is wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants in the morning and evening when mosquitoes are most active, and use a mosquito repellent that contains DEET," said Spencer. "These are simple and portable protective measures that people can use wherever they are, whether it is in their own backyard, a campground or on the lake," she said.

In addition, Spencer advises: insect-proof your home by repairing or replacing screens; reduce standing water on your property that may provide mosquito breeding habitat, such as bird baths and decorative ponds; avoid mosquitoes when they are most active at dawn and dusk; and report dead raptors such as eagles, hawks, owls and other birds of prey to Idaho fish and Game.

For more information about the West Nile Virus, visit the CDHD website at www.cdhd.org/EpidemiologyCommunicableDisease/disease_fact_sheets/westnile04.pdf. or the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare's West Nile Virus web site at http://www2.state.id.us/dhw/cdp/westnile/west_nile_index.htm. Additional information also can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) web site: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm.