A Canyon County resident over age 50 has been confirmed as suffering from the dangerous, neuro invasive form of West Nile Virus, and officials are warning Treasure Valley residents to drain standing water left from recent rains to avoid breeding mosquitoes that can carry the virus.
The Idaho Press reports the Canyon County case was the third human West Nile Virus case reported in Idaho so far this year; the first two were in Ada County residents, though they didn’t suffer the most serious form of the disease.
The spokeswoman for the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare said it’s a great reminder to keep wearing the insect repellent and long sleeves and long pants, if you’re going to be out when mosquitoes are out.
This week, mosquito abatement districts in Ada, Canyon, Gem and Payette counties launched a “Drain the Rain” campaign, warning that mosquitoes can develop in as little water as the volume in a bottle cap.
