CALDWELL -- Southwest District Health officials have confirmed the first human case of West Nile in Canyon County, as the cases in the state begin to mount. The victim is a woman in her 50’s and lives in the Wilder area. She is currently hospitalized.

“We know that West Nile is here, so the increasing numbers of cases are not surprising,” said Jacque Walker, Preventive Health Manager at Southwest District Health. “What is surprising is the feedback we are receiving that people are not taking the threat of West Nile seriously and are still not taking proper precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes,” she said.

According to Walker, the greatest numbers of human cases in 2006 occurred in August and September and the health district expects to see the same this year. “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,” she recommended.

“There is no reason to risk serious illness when preventing exposure (to infected mosquitoes) is so easy,” said Walker.  She suggests that family and friends remind each other to protect themselves against mosquito bites before going outside.

Symptoms may include fever, headaches, body aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash typically occur 3 to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. More severe infections are marked by a rapid onset of a high fever, including headache, body aches, disorientation, and tremors.  The most severe type of West Nile may cause inflammation of the membrane around the brain and the spinal cord, causing seizures, extreme headaches, paralysis and possibly death.

If a person suspects they have been exposed to West Nile, they can contact their local health care provider or Southwest District Health at (208) 455-5442.

Individuals may also obtain information by calling the WNV Information Line at 1-877-333-9681 or (208) 334-6500, or by visiting SWDH’s website at www.swdh.org or Idaho Office of Epidemiology & Food Protection website at www.westnile.idaho.gov.