A Canyon County resident over the age of 65 is Idaho’s first reported human case of West Nile virus meningitis this year, public health officials announced Monday.
The infected person was hospitalized but is recovering at home, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare announced in a news release.
Infected mosquitoes spread West Nile virus through bites.
Idaho health officials pointed to the case of the disease to encourage people to take steps to prevent mosquito bites while outdoors and on their properties.
“The report of the first severe West Nile virus disease of the season in an Idaho resident is a good reminder for all of us to take protective measures against mosquito bites,” Idaho State Epidemiologist Dr. Christine Hahn said in a written statement. “This includes wearing insect repellent and protective clothing in addition to reducing standing water around gardens and homes where mosquitoes can lay eggs.”
Most people infected with West Nile don’t feel sick. A fifth of people infected develop a fever and other symptoms like a headache, body aches, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, swollen lymph glands or a rash. Risk of severe illness, and death, can be up to 40% higher in people that take immune system suppressants, such as treatments for cancer, autoimmune disease, and organ transplants, said Southwest District Health Epidemiologist Lekshmi Rita Venugopal.
“With West Nile virus detected in mosquitoes in Southwest Idaho again this summer, it’s especially important for people with weakened immune systems to avoid mosquito bites,” she said in a written statement.
The risk of severe illness is higher for older people and people who have some medical conditions. Severe illness can affect the brain and spinal cord, and can lead to hospitalization or death. Officials encourage people who believe they are sick with West Nile to contact their healthcare provider.
To avoid West Nile infections, Health and Welfare encourages people to:
People should also take steps to mitigate mosquitos on their property, Health and Welfare suggests, including:
Originally published on idahocapitalsun.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
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