Human West Nile Virus Cases Identified in Washington County
August 16, 2019 News Release Comments Off on Human West Nile Virus Cases Identified in Washington County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Human West Nile Virus Cases Identified in Washington County

Health Officials Encourage Taking Precautions

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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Health Advisory Issued for LAKE LOWELL
August 15, 2019 Public Health Advisory Comments Off on Health Advisory Issued for LAKE LOWELL

Public Health Advisory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        

Health Advisory Issued for LAKE LOWELL

CANYON COUNTY, ID — Southwest District Health and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) are issuing a health advisory for LAKE LOWELL, 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 LAKE LOWELL, 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.

Lake Lowell is part of the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, which is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

For more information about harmful algal blooms, visit DEQ’s website at http://www.deq.idaho.gov/water-quality/surface-water/recreation-health-advisories/

# # #

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

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

public-health-advisory-1-_815
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Health Advisory Issued for Hells Canyon Reservoir
August 9, 2019 Public Health Advisory Comments Off on Health Advisory Issued for Hells Canyon Reservoir

Public Health Advisory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        

Health advisory issued for HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR

HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR, ID— Southwest District Health (SWDH) and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) are issuing a health advisory for HELLS CANYON RESERVOIR from Copper Creek down to Hells Canyon 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 HELLS CANYON 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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Mosquitoes in Adams and Washington Counties Test Positive for West Nile Virus
August 7, 2019 News Release Comments Off on Mosquitoes in Adams and Washington Counties Test Positive for West Nile Virus

Mosquitoes in Adams and Washington Counties Test Positive for West Nile Virus

Mosquitoes trapped in Adams County and Washington County have tested positive for West Nile virus. The mosquitoes carrying the virus in Adams County were trapped in Fruitvale and Indian Valley. The mosquitos trapped in Washington County were trapped near the north side of Weiser. These areas are not located inside a mosquito abatement district.

Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, and Payette 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

#####

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

Read More
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