Glenns Ferry man hospitalized with West Nile

A 72-year-old Elmore County man has tested positive for West Nile virus, the second lab-confirmed human West Nile infection in 2006.

The Glenns Ferry man, identified from independent sources as Pastor Larry Maxwell, was diagnosed with the most serious form of the disease. It is affecting his brain and causing mental disorientation.

He was to be released from a Boise hospital today (Monday July 17, 2006) and transferred to a local rehabilitation center.

There were reports another person, a woman, in Glenns Ferry had displayed symptoms of the disease, but there was no confirmation that she had been diagnosed with the virus.

Six Idaho counties have reported West Nile Virus activity this year.

Three Elmore County birds have tested positive for West Nile Virus, and the first human case in Idaho this year was reported less than two weeks ago in Owyhee County. Last month, a horse in Elmore County had been diagnosed with the disease.

Glenns Ferry residents have reported finding a number of sick birds in the area recently, but test results have not been confirmed yet to determine if they were in fact suffering from the West Nile virus. Several birds have been taken from the Three Island Crossing State Park for analysis.

Glenns Ferry's mayor, JoAnn Lanham, said she would support spraying operations in the city to kill mosquitoes that carry the disease from birds to humans.

West Nile virus is usually spread through the bite of an infected mosquito and is not generally spread from person-to-person or from infected animals to people.

About 80 percent of people who are bitten by an infected mosquito will not become sick, but others may experience a mild, flu-like illness that can include headaches, body aches and a fever.

In rare cases, the virus can lead to serious illness, especially in people over the age of 50.

If you are ill and think you may have been exposed to mosquitoes carrying the West Nile Virus, report it to your physician who may order blood tests to confirm the presence of the virus.

The other counties reporting West Nile activity this season include Ada, Canyon, Gem and Gooding counties. Last year, West Nile virus was discovered in 15 southern Idaho counties, infecting 13 people, over 100 horses and a dozen birds. Across the nation to date, 24 other states have reported West Nile activity to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with three of those states recording human infections.

This year, the first case of West Nile virus was found in Idaho six weeks earlier than last year.

The virus can be passed onto people, pets, horses, birds and other wildlife through a mosquito bite. Most people exposed to the virus will not get sick, or will experience mild flu-like symptoms, but on rare occasions, people can die from complications connected to the virus.

Most animals, including dogs and cats, are not affected by West Nile, but horses and birds are highly susceptible. No vaccine is available for humans, but there is a vaccine for horses. Without a vaccine, approximately one-third of the horses that get the disease die.

The best things people can do to protect themselves is to avoid mosquito bites. Before heading outside think about following these steps:

* Apply insect repellent containing DEET. Be careful in applying insect repellent to children. Don't put repellent on their hands and avoid their mouths and eyes. It's best to use products with 10 percent DEET or less for children between the ages of 2 and 12.

* Wear protective clothing such as long sleeves shirts, long pants, and socks when outdoors.

* Spray clothing with repellents containing DEET or permethrin because mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing.

* Consider staying indoors in the morning or late evening as this is peak mosquito biting time. Avoid going where mosquitoes are plentiful.

* Fix or install window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out of buildings.

If you observe that a wild animal or bird has died due to a suspicious cause and has been dead less than 24 hours, it can be delivered to the local Idaho Department of Fish and Game Regional Office for testing. Domestic animals can be tested by the District Health Department. People will be asked to place the dead animal in a double-wrapped plastic bag and keep them in a cool place until delivery to the sample site. Remember to always wear latex or rubber gloves when handling any potential sample. For more information, call 324-4359.

Additional information about the virus is available from the Central District Health Department website at www.cdhd.idaho.gov.