New West Nile cases reported across valley
Saturday, July 26, 2008 9:42 PM PDT
Katie Pizza
Argus Observer
Payette
The first reports of human cases of West Nile virus appeared this week in the Treasure Valley in Payette, Ada and Canyon counties.
Two people in Canyon County — a Nampa woman in her 70s and a man in his 50s — tested positive for the virus this week, while a Payette County teen was also diagnosed with the malady.
Friday, the Idaho Department of Welfare reported an Ada County man in his 30s tested positive for acute, West Nile virus infection. He is the first Ada County resident with laboratory-confirmed West Nile virus.
“It is a confirmed case of West Nile virus,” Southwest District Health (SDH) Public Information Officer Laurie Boston said of the teen last week.
The teen and woman, neither of whom were hospitalized, are both recovering.
“Anyone that is bitten by an infected mosquito is at risk for the West Nile virus, so we continue to stress the importance of taking all possible precautions to avoid mosquito bites,” Bruce Krosch, District Director of Southwest District Health said. “We know the virus is here, so even if you are going out for 10 minutes, use a repellent.”
A majority of the people who are infected (80 percent) will not show any signs of infection. However, the remaining 20 percent will experience illness ranging from mild to severe.
People with symptoms may experience fever, headaches, body aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, eye pain and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash typically occurring 3 to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito, according to Southwest District Health.
Those over 50 and those with weakened immune systems seem to be most susceptible to the severe form of the disease. The severe symptoms may include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks or more, and neurological effects may be permanent. Usually, symptoms occur from five to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.
There is no specific treatment for infection, but hospitalization and treatment of symptoms may improve the chances of recovery for severe infections. There is no vaccine available for humans. However, normal contact with a person or animal with West Nile will not spread the disease, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
“SWDH is currently working with the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Oklahoma, the University of Florida, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding a study of the body’s immunity to West Nile,” Boston said. “Anyone residing in the Idaho counties of Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, and Washington, who believes they may have West Nile, are eligible under this study to receive free West Nile testing with a written request from their medical provider.”
According to the Center for Disease Control, West Nile Virus was first isolated and identified in 1939, but has become more widespread since the mid-1990s.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reported six cases of West Nile virus in Payette County in 2007. The Oregon Department of Human Services reports there are no cases of West Nile so far this year. Malheur County saw 12 positive cases in humans last year.
In order to keep the number of reported cases in 2008 low, Southwest District Health recommends residents take the following steps:
- When you are outdoors, use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient, such as DEET or Picaridin (apply it according to manufacturers’ instructions.) In addition, certain products which contain permethrin (a synthetic insect repellent) are recommended for use on clothing, shoes, bed nets, and camping gear. Follow the directions on the container or package.
- Be sure to use insect repellent and 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. Consider using mosquito netting on infant carriers.
- 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. Drill holes in tire swings or old tires so water drains out. Keep children's wading pools empty or on their sides when not in use.
- Don’t over-irrigate your lawns, gardens, or pastures.
By keeping this tips in mind, Oregon and Idaho residents can help to take the sting out of the disease.
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Four cases were reported this week, stretching across Payette, Ada and Canyon counties.
