Idaho Warns of West Nile Risk After 1 Serious Case and Mosquito Detections in 2 Counties
Updated
Updated · KIDO Talk Radio · Aug 18
Idaho Warns of West Nile Risk After 1 Serious Case and Mosquito Detections in 2 Counties
3 articles · Updated · KIDO Talk Radio · Aug 18
Summary
A 65-year-old Idaho resident was hospitalized with a serious West Nile virus infection and has since returned home, prompting state health officials to warn of a growing summer threat.
Ada and Canyon counties also recorded mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus, giving officials fresh evidence that the virus is circulating in southwest Idaho this summer.
Southwest District Health said people on immune-suppressing drugs face up to a 40% higher risk of severe illness or death after a mosquito bite, while Idahoans over 50 are also especially vulnerable.
Health officials urged residents to watch for fever, headache, body aches, rash and swollen lymph glands and to avoid mosquito bites as the insects remain active through the summer.