Idaho’s first human case of West Nile virus this year has been confirmed in Kootenai County.
The woman, who’s over the age of 50, is currently recovering after contracting the virus locally, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
It’s the first time this year that a case of West Nile has been found in a human and the first time ever that anyone has contracted the virus in northern Idaho since it was first detected here in 2003.
11 other counties across the state have detected West Nile in mosquitos since the end of May.
Last year, nine people contracted the virus with no deaths reported. Idaho led the nation in West Nile illnesses in 2006 with nearly 1,000 infections that contributed to 23 deaths, according to state health officials.
The virus is typically spread through mosquito bites, so cover up exposed skin when you’re outside, use insect repellant and clear up any standing water around your house to avoid creating a bug breeding ground.
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