West Nile mosquitoes caught in town

Mosquitoes collected in two traps in the Mountain Home area have tested positive for West Nile virus, according to results released Monday Aug. 25, by the Idaho State Bureau of Laboratories.

The mosquitoes were trapped at two sites within the Elmore County Interim Mosquito Abatement District on Aug. 17.

One mosquito pool was located to the north of Mountain Home and the other on the southeast side of town. Positive mosquito pools were previously reported at three traps in the Mountain Home area on Aug. 4.

The Central District Health Department (CDHD) has been working cooperatively with the Elmore County Interim Mosquito Abatement District to provide surveillance of mosquito populations.

West Nile virus is a disease that normally cycles between mosquitoes and birds. Animals and humans are incidentally infected when bitten by a female mosquito infected with the virus.

The expanding presence of mosquito pools testing positive for West Nile virus serves as yet another reminder for citizens to 'Fight the Bite' of mosquitoes, health department officials said. They advise area residents to:

* Apply 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 or change water weekly in bird baths or decorative ponds that provide mosquito breeding habitat.

* Cover up exposed skin when outdoors;

* Avoid mosquitoes when they are most active at dawn and dusk.

If there are mosquito breeding areas near your home call the Elmore County West Nile Hotline 1-866-884-2891.