It appears that the West Nile virus may have played a part in the recent case which involved the death of an Adams County elderly woman who had fallen ill several months ago and was hospitalized for about two weeks.

Her death would be the first confirmed one in the State of Idaho this year related to the WNV, according to Bruce Krosch, District Director for Southwest District Health.

The warm weather is propitious to spreading the virus in birds and mosquitoes. Prime time for mosquitoes, the transmitters of the virus, is during the summer and into the warm fall months before hard frost, between dusk and dawn. Usually, the first big freeze corresponds to the end of the season of these insects.

However, in spite of the cooler weather, individuals still “need to take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.” These precautions aim particularly at those individuals over age 50 or suffering from underlying medical conditions,” Krosch said.

So, in order to avoid exposure to the West Nile virus, people should apply mosquito repellant when leaving the house, stay away from mosquito-infested areas, repair damaged window screens and doors and wear trousers and long-sleeved shirts while outdoors.

Up to now, there have been reported 40 cases of West Nile virus infections in Idaho in 2008, stated Emily Simnitt, spokeswoman for the Idaho Department of Health. Of those people who contracted the virus, five had to be hospitalized.

As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, severe illnesses are developed by less than 1% of individuals infected with the WNV.