WEISER, Idaho (CBS 2) — Two people have contracted the West Nile virus in Washington County, local health officials say.
The two cases mark the first two human cases in Idaho for 2019. One of the Washington County residents is over the age of 30 while the other is over the age of 60.
Health officials did not disclose the severity of their cases or their updated health conditions. Idaho had 16 cases of West Nile in 2018 and one person passed away. Back in 2006, nearly 1,000 people were infected and 23 people died.
West Nile is a potentially serious illness that is usually spread to animals and humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. It does not spread from person-to-person. Most people infected with the virus do not show symptoms, although more severe symptoms may occur. People with symptoms may experience fever, headaches, body aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash typically occurring two to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.
