Two Washington County residents confirmed with West Nile virus are first cases in state

Health officials have confirmed that two Washington County residents are the first human West Nile virus cases in the state this year.
 The Southwest District Health Department reported last week that a county resident over the age of 30 was diagnosed with West Nile neuroinvasive disease.
 Another resident over the age of 60 was diagnosed with West Nile fever. The agency did not provide any details on where the infected individuals live in the county.
 The news of the two human WNV cases comes about a week after mosquitoes trapped in Weiser tested positive for West Nile virus, the first so far this summer. Mosquitoes were trapped and tested twice in June and WNV was not found.
 West Nile virus activity has been detected in 10 counties in southwest Idaho this summer, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
 West Nile virus is a potentially serious illness that is usually spread to animals and humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. It does not spread from person-to-person.
 Most people infected with the West Nile virus (8 out of 10) do not develop any symptoms.
 About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash.  
 Most people with this type of West Nile virus disease recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months.
 About one in 150 people infected with WNV develop severe illness such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), or meningitis (inflammation of the linings of the brain and spinal cord), said Jami Delmore, Environmental Health Supervisor for Southwest District Health.  
 These more severe infections are marked by a rapid onset of a high fever, headache, neck stiffness, body aches, disorientation, and tremors.
 No vaccine or specific antiviral treatments for West Nile virus infection are available. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to reduce fever and relieve some symptoms
 In severe cases, patients often need to be hospitalized to receive supportive treatment, such as intravenous fluids, pain medication, and nursing care.
 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that anyone who thinks they or a family member might have West Nile virus disease should talk with their health care provider.
 With the discovery of WNV in local mosquitoes, residents are encouraged to take extra precautions to avoid being bitten. The more you are outdoors, the higher risk you could be bitten by an infected mosquito.
 If possible, avoid outdoor activities between dusk and dawn when disease-carrying mosquitoes are most active and feeding. If you must be outside at dawn or dusk, wear long sleeves, pants, and loose-fitting clothing.
 When you are outdoors, use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient, such as DEET or Picaridin (follow manufacturers’ instructions on the label).
 In addition, certain products which contain permethrin are recommended for use on clothing, shoes, bed nets, and camping gear.
 • Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
 • Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by draining standing water from flower pots, buckets, barrels, pool covers, and wading pools.
 • Avoid over-irrigating your lawns, gardens, or pastures.
 • Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths and watering troughs at least twice weekly.
 • Drill holes in tire swings or old tires so water drains out.
 • Get your horses vaccinated against West Nile.
 The mosquito population in southwest Idaho typically begins to decline in late August, when the bugs have laid their eggs that will carryover for the winter. Mosquito numbers noticably drop in September as the nights get cooler.
 No WNV was reported in Washington County in 2018. In 2017 and 2016, there were mosquitoes in and around Weiser that did test positive for the virus during the summer months.
 Last year, 16 human WNV infections, including one that resulted in death, were reported statewide. WNV activity was reported in 18 counties across the state.
 The impact WNV has from year to year is difficult to predict. In 2006, Idaho had more WNV illnesses than any other state, with almost 1,000 infections and 23 deaths, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare said.