Twin Falls, Idaho (KMVT-TV) Health officials are warning people to take protective measures to prevent mosquito bites.
Three counties in Idaho have found West Nile Virus in local mosquitoes.
And, a local woman is the first confirmed case of West Nile Fever in the state this year.
The Twin Falls County Pest Abatement District is monitoring the virus.
And, health officials are warning people to fight the bite...mosquito bite that is.
"It is important that even one case we get on top of and start alerting the public about how to prevent mosquito exposure," said Logan Hudson, Public Health Nurse, South Central Public Health District.
That one case has occurred.
A Twin Falls County woman is the first human case of West Nile Fever reported in Idaho this year.
It's not clear where she contracted the virus because she had traveled to Valley County shortly before getting sick.
"West Nile Virus is endemic to Idaho, which means it's out there. We just don't' know where it's going to show up. So, it's wise for people to take the proper precautions,” said Kirk Tubbs, Twin Falls County Pest Abatement District.
The Public Health District recommends using and EPA-approved repellant and wearing clothes that cover all areas of your body between dusk and dawn, fixing screens around your house and removing standing water.
"The one's we're most concerned about are the ones that prefer small containers, small ponds, you know that small bucket in your back yard. It takes about five days for those mosquito eggs to hatch out so you can go from one mosquito to two–hundred very quick," said Tubbs.
The Pest Abatement District puts out ten to twenty of these traps each week in the county. So far, this year the traps have all come back negative.
"Not all mosquitoes carry West Nile Virus, so when we set a trap we have to sort out the mosquitoes and get the certain species that we're looking at. And, those we test for West Nile Virus," said Tubbs.
In 2006, Idaho led the nation in West Nile illnesses with nearly one–thousand cases reported, resulting in twenty–three deaths.
The Twin Falls County Pest Abatement District would like you to contact them either by telephone or through their website if you have a spot you'd like them to check out.
Also, if you'd like more information on the virus, log onto the South Central Public Health District's website.
