West Nile Virus Has Reached Idaho
The identification of West Nile virus in horses and birds, and recently people has established the presence of the virus in southern Idaho. West Nile virus is transmitted to people, birds, and other animals by the bite of an infected mosquito. On rare occasions, this virus can cause serious illness, especially in people over the age of 50 or those with other underlying medical conditions.
Most infected people have few, if any, symptoms of the disease. Mild infections can include a fever and headache with complete recovery. Twenty percent of infected people have mild symptoms. The typical presentation is a febrile illness of sudden onset. Other symptoms include sore muscles, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, rash, eye pain, and swollen glands. Severe infections which tend to occur in people over 50 result in changes in mental status and paralysis.
If you feel you might have mild infection with West Nile virus contact the Student Health Center or an urgent care center for testing.
Prevention
To reduce your chances of contracting the virus, you can take precautions by reducing mosquito-breeding habitats around your home and by the appropriate use of insect repellents. Residents with horses should consider protecting their animals with a newly developed vaccine. Although there is a vaccine for horses, one has not been developed for people.
This information was taken from the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare's website.