West Nile virus confirmed in mosquitoes at Mountain Home, Hammett

In the past two weeks, the West Nile virus has been positively identified in mosquitoes collected at sites in Mountain Home and in Hammett.

Earlier this summer, mosquitoes tested from sites near Prairie and King Hill also tested positive for the potentially deadly virus.

At this point in time, no human cases of the West Nile virus have been reported in Elmore County, according to the Elmore County Extension Office.

Marsha Sellers, chair of the West Nile Task Force for the county, said that she would recommend fogging the areas near the test sites to kill any other infected mosquitoes that may have hatched.

Last year there were 65 documented cases of West Nile virus and three confirmed deaths from the virus in Elmore County.

The county monitors numerous test sites on a daily basis for mosquito activity and the presence of the Culex species, which is the primary carrier of the West Nile virus.

Property owners can receive free treatments from the Elmore County Extension office for suspected mosquito breeding areas, typically shallow standing pools of water.

Information about mosquito abatement and treatment and the West Nile virus is available at the County Extension office, and educational presentations can be requested for schools and civic groups by calling the Mosquito Hotline toll-free number at 1-866-884-2891 or 587-2136 extension 509.