More Bannock County mosquito traps test positive for West Nile

Two additional mosquito abatement district traps have turned up signs of West Nile Virus in Bannock County. Mosquito Abatement Supervisor David Herter said the three areas in Pocatello they have been found are near Riverside Golf Course, F.M.C. Park, and near South Main in Old Town. The first positive sign was found one month ago in McCammon and the second case a week ago in Downata Hot Springs. This is the earliest the abatement office has found West Nile in Bannock County. He thinks spring flooding left huge pools of standing water that are producing lots of mosquitoes in the area. Herter advised people not to be unnecessarily concerned. “All these areas, we’ve already gone out and re-larvicided, we’ve fogged them,” said Herter. “So we don’t want people to feel like, ‘Oh I can’t go out and enjoy and recreate.’ We want everyone to go out and have fun. Just understand that we do have the virus out there and to protect yourself.” He advised people to wear long sleeves at dusk and dawn, and mosquito repellant with DEET.