Mosquitoes in a trap collected on Friday, June 8 in rural Canyon County registered a very high West Nile Virus reading, according to officials.
“The trap testing results were submitted for confirmation to the Idaho Bureau of Laboratories Monday, with results Tuesday showing a positive West Nile Virus confirmation,” said Canyon County Mosquito Abatement District Director Ed Burnett
Burnett also said this is one of the earliest detections of the disease since the Idaho 2006 West Nile outbreak -- with close to one-thousand human cases and twenty-three fatalities with 180 of those human cases in Canyon County.
The trap was located west of Parma, off Hexon Road and Scott Pitt Road near the Fort Boise Wildlife Management area.
Nighttime ultra-low volume “fogging” took place Friday night because of the elevated population West Nile Virus carrier mosquitoes.
Weather permitting, the fogging operations will again take place Tuesday night in the affected area, said Canyon County spokesman Joe Decker.
“Larvicide operations have been ongoing in this area for the past two days, along with routine mosquito larvae control operations throughout the district. Follow up trapping will be conducted later in the week to analyze results,” Decker explained.
As we enter the warmer summer months and the West Nile Virus season, experts say it’s important to avoid mosquito bites by following practices known as the “7 D’s”.
• DRAIN any standing water on your property that may cause mosquitos and remember do not over irrigate.
• DAWN and DUSK are times to avoid outdoors.
• DRESS appropriately by wearing long sleeve shirts and long pants when outdoors.
• DEFEND yourself against mosquitoes by using an insect repellant.
• DOOR and window screens should be in good conditions to prevent mosquitos from entering your home.
• DISTRICT personnel are available to help address any mosquito problems you may be experiencing.
