BOISE, Idaho — Mosquitoes recently trapped in Ada, Washington and Adams counties have tested positive for West Nile virus, health officials announced.
Ada County said on Thursday that mosquitoes in five different locations tested positive for the virus:
- Star - Corner of South Short Road and West State Street
- Kuna - Corner of 10 Mile Creek Road and South Cole Road
- Eagle - Corner of West River Trail Drive and South Island Glenn Way
- Eagle - Mace Road and West Windbreaker Lane
- Hidden Springs - West Dry Creek Road and North Seaman's Gulch Road
The Ada County Mosquito Abatement District previously confirmed on Wednesday that one pool of mosquitoes - in Star - had tested positive for the virus.
Abatement workers are now spraying the affected areas in an effort to avoid human infections.
For more information about West Nile virus locations in Ada County, check out the county's Mosquito Tracker.
In Adams County, the infected mosquitoes were trapped in Fruitvale and Indian Valley, according to Southwest District Health. In Washington County, mosquitoes that tested positive for the virus were found near the north side of Weiser.
These areas are not located within a mosquito abatement district, officials said.
So far this summer, West Nile has also been detected in Elmore, Twin Falls, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee and Payette counties.
Residents are encouraged to take precautions to avoid being bitten. The Ada county Mosquito Abatement District says to dump standing water weekly, ensure that screen doors and windows are tight-fitting, avoid over-watering your land, dress in long sleeve shirts and long pants, apply insect repellent and limit outdoor activities during dusk and dawn.
West Nile is a potentially dangerous illness that spreads to animals and humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most infections do not cause symptoms but, health officials say, one in five people who become infected with West Nile show symptoms.
These symptoms include fever, headaches, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes a skin rash or swollen lymph nodes. Symptoms can last for a few days or several weeks, and usually occur from two to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.
There is no specific treatment, but in severe cases, people usually need hospitalization.
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