West Nile Virus infected mosquitoes found in Bannock County

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare says mosquitoes infected with West Nile Virus have been found in Bannock County. The positive mosquitoes were the first detected in Idaho this year. The insects were collected by the Bannock County Mosquito Abatement District. Health officials are reminding people to take precautions to “fight the bite”. West Nile Virus is usually contracted from the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms often include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash. In some cases, the virus can cause severe illness, especially in people over the age of 50, and may require hospitalization. In severe cases, WNV can even lead to death. The disease is not spread from person-to-person through casual contact. “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,” says Dr. Leslie Tengelsen, from the Idaho Division of Public Health. “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, avoid mosquitoes, particularly between dusk and dawn when they are most active. In addition, you should: — 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. Officials said WNV does not usually affect domestic animals, like dogs and cats, but it can cause serious illness in horses and some species of birds. There is a vaccine available for horses and horse owners are encouraged to keep their animals vaccinated annually. You can find more information here.