Mosquitoes in Owyhee County Test Positive for West Nile Virus
July 24, 2019 News Release Comments Off on Mosquitoes in Owyhee County Test Positive for West Nile Virus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mosquitoes in Owyhee County Test Positive for West Nile Virus

Mosquitoes trapped in Owyhee County have tested positive for West Nile virus. The mosquitoes carrying the virus were trapped south of Homedale. This area is not located inside a mosquito abatement district.

Canyon, Gem, Elmore, and Twin Falls counties have also reported positive WNV results in some of their mosquito traps.

Residents are encouraged to take extra precautions to avoid being bitten. Precautions include draining any standing water on your property and wearing repellent when outdoors.

West Nile virus is a potentially serious illness that is usually spread to animals and humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Although most infections do not cause symptoms, one out of five who become infected with West Nile virus show symptoms such as fever, headaches, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph nodes, or a skin rash. These symptoms can last for only a few days, or may last for several weeks. Symptoms typically occur from 2 to 14 days after the bite from an infected mosquito. There is no specific treatment, but in more severe cases, people usually need hospitalization.

For more information on West Nile visit https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/prevention/index.html
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Media Contact:
Katrina Williams
Southwest District Health
Katrina.Williams@phd3.idaho.gov
(208) 455-5317

 

 

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*AMENDED* Health Advisory Issued for Brownlee Reservoir
July 17, 2019 Public Health Advisory Comments Off on *AMENDED* Health Advisory Issued for Brownlee Reservoir

Public Health Advisory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        

*AMENDED* Health advisory issued for BROWNLEE RESERVOIR

Southwest District Health and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) are issuing an amended health advisory for BROWNLEE RESERVOIR from the area of Canyon Creek on the Oregon side to Brownlee Dam, urging residents to use caution when recreating in or near the water.

Recent samples taken from the water body indicate high concentrations of toxin-producing cyanobacteria, which can be harmful to people, pets, and livestock. Those with liver or kidney damage are at an increased risk of illness.

Cyanobacteria are a natural part of Idaho’s water bodies. When temperatures rise, their populations can bloom and toxic chemical compounds, or cyanotoxins, can be released into the water. Blooms can vary in appearance, and may look like mats, foam, spilled paint, or surface scum, and have a foul odor.

When recreating near or in BROWNLEE RESERVOIR, take the following precautions while the advisory is in effect:

  • Avoid swimming, wading, or other activities. Take extra precautions to ensure children, pets, and livestock are not exposed to the water.
  • Do not drink or cook with water containing a bloom. Boiling and filtering the water can increase the risk.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly after handling fish caught in water experiencing a bloom. Cyanotoxins can accumulate in fish and the risk to people is being researched. Any fish caught should be cleaned and washed thoroughly in uncontaminated water and any internal organs disposed of before consumption. If people choose to eat fish from this area, filet the fish and remove all of the fat, skin, and organs before cooking.
  • Clean with potable water as soon as possible if water contacts skin or pet fur.

Symptoms of cyanotoxin exposure include rashes, hives, diarrhea, vomiting, coughing, and/or wheezing. More severe symptoms affecting the liver and nervous system may result from ingesting water. If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare provider.

The public will be advised when it is likely the concern no longer exists.

For more information about harmful algal blooms and recreation water quality advisories, visit DEQ’s website at

http://www.deq.idaho.gov/water-quality/surface-water/recreation-health-advisories/

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DEQ Media Contact

Chase Cusack                        208.373.0490              Chase.Cusack@deq.idaho.gov

SWDH Media Contact

Katrina Williams                208.455.5317               Katrina.Williams@phd3.idaho.gov

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Health Advisory Issued for Brownlee Reservoir
July 16, 2019 Public Health Advisory Comments Off on Health Advisory Issued for Brownlee Reservoir

Public Health Advisory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        

Health advisory issued for BROWNLEE RESERVOIR

Southwest District Health, Idaho Power, and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) are issuing a health advisory for BROWNLEE RESERVOIR from the area near Mountain Man Resort including from Wolf Creek on the Idaho side to Canyon Creek on the Oregon side, urging residents to use caution when recreating in or near the water.

Recent samples taken from the water body indicate high concentrations of toxin-producing cyanobacteria, which can be harmful to people, pets, and livestock. Those with liver or kidney damage are at an increased risk of illness.

Cyanobacteria are a natural part of Idaho’s water bodies. When temperatures rise, their populations can bloom and toxic chemical compounds, or cyanotoxins, can be released into the water. Blooms can vary in appearance, and may look like mats, foam, spilled paint, or surface scum, and have a foul odor.

When recreating near or in BROWNLEE RESERVOIR, take the following precautions while the advisory is in effect:

  • Avoid swimming, wading, or other activities. Take extra precautions to ensure children, pets, and livestock are not exposed to the water.
  • Do not drink or cook with water containing a bloom. Boiling and filtering the water can increase the risk.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly after handling fish caught in water experiencing a bloom. Cyanotoxins can accumulate in fish and the risk to people is being researched. Any fish caught should be cleaned and washed thoroughly in uncontaminated water and any internal organs disposed of before consumption. If people choose to eat fish from this area, filet the fish and remove all of the fat, skin, and organs before cooking.
  • Clean with potable water as soon as possible if water contacts skin or pet fur.

Symptoms of cyanotoxin exposure include rashes, hives, diarrhea, vomiting, coughing, and/or wheezing. More severe symptoms affecting the liver and nervous system may result from ingesting water. If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare provider.

The public will be advised when it is likely the concern no longer exists.

For more information about harmful algal blooms and recreation water quality advisories, visit DEQ’s website at

http://www.deq.idaho.gov/water-quality/surface-water/recreation-health-advisories/

###

DEQ Media Contact

Chase Cusack                        208.373.0490              Chase.Cusack@deq.idaho.gov

SWDH Media Contact

Katrina Williams                208.455.5317               Katrina.Williams@phd3.idaho.gov

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Gem County Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus
July 15, 2019 News Release Comments Off on Gem County Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gem County Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus

Mosquitoes trapped in Gem County have tested positive for West Nile virus. The mosquitoes carrying the virus in Gem County were trapped outside of the Gem County Mosquito Abatement District near the Payette County border. This area is not located inside a mosquito abatement district.

Residents are encouraged to take extra precautions to avoid being bitten. Precautions include draining any standing water on your property and wearing repellent when outdoors.

West Nile virus is a potentially serious illness that is usually spread to animals and humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Although most infections do not cause symptoms, one out of five who become infected with West Nile virus show symptoms such as fever, headaches, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph nodes, or a skin rash. These symptoms can last for only a few days, or may last for several weeks. Symptoms typically occur from 2 to 14 days after the bite from an infected mosquito. There is no specific treatment, but in more severe cases, people usually need hospitalization.

For more information on West Nile visit https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/prevention/index.html
#####

Media Contact:
Katrina Williams
Southwest District Health
Katrina.Williams@phd3.idaho.gov
(208) 455-5317

 

 

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