Two women in Idaho have been infected with the mosquito-borne illness West Nile virus, marking the first confirmed human cases within days of each other in Idaho this year.
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Monitoring will continue through the end of September by testing mosquito samples and the collection of dead crows and blue jays.
Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn, even though they bite humans at any time.
Mandiangu Nsungu reminds the public that mid-July through August is the peak season for Culex tarsalis activity, the mosquito that transmits West Nile virus to humans.
Three people became ill with the infection in 2012.
Local authorities in Menlo Park, California are planning to conduct fumigation in the city this coming weekend in order to prevent the spread of West Nile virus-carrying mosquitoes. Therefore, residents have been requested to take precautions. About 19 per cent of people will have an illness during which they will experience fever and headache, feel exhausted and achy, and may have a rash. Do not use DEET on infants younger than 2 months of age: get rid of standing water, and drain areas where water can pool: rain gutters, wading pools, old tires, etc.; and install or fix screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
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The patient, who has contracted the neuroinvasive, or more severe, form of the disease, lives in an unincorporated Southwest Tarrant County near Benbrook.
