First Case of Human West Nile Virus Found in Magic Valley

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KLIX)- The first human case of West Nile virus has been found in a Lincoln County woman. The South Central Public Health District reported Thursday morning that the female in her 30's is home recovering after being hospitalized.  

Christi Skuza, South Central Public Health District (SCPHD) Epidemiologist says “This is a great reminder to the public that West Nile is still a concern, so everyone should take extra precautions.”

Symptoms of West Nile range from fever, headaches, body aches, fatigue, nausea, and occasionally swollen lymph glands and possibly skin rash. Serious infections can include high fever, headache, disorientation, neck stiffness, and tremors. The symptoms usually appear 2 to 14 days after being  bitten by an infected mosquito.

SCPHD has provided the following information on ways to prevent West Nile infections:

• Use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient, such as DEET. Parents are advised not to apply repellant that contains more than 10 percent DEET on their children.
• Wear long sleeves, pants, and loose-fitting clothing at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active and feeding. If possible, consider staying indoors during these hours.
• 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, and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths and feeding troughs, at least twice a week.

For more information on West Nile, visit SCPHD’s website phd5.idaho.govor visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at www.cdc.gov/westnile.