West Nile Virus

Government: Council votes to request annexation into abatement district to help fight West Nile virus

By Mike Butts
Idaho Press-Tribune

CALDWELL — Caldwell City Council members voted unanimously Monday to request the city be annexed into the Canyon County Mosquito Abatement District.

Nampa became a part of the district earlier this year.

If Caldwell joins the district, its residents could get help fighting West Nile virus as soon as 2008. (more…)

Legislature 2007: Lawmakers aim to make it easier to establish mosquito districts

By Mike Butts
Idaho Press-Tribune

CANYON COUNTY — Two local legislators are sponsoring a bill they hope will help Idaho communities fight West Nile and other diseases carried by mosquitoes.

The bill would allow communities to establish interim mosquito abatement districts to respond to health emergencies and relax the requirements that abatement districts can only annex areas with which they share borders. (more…)

Health: Effort would battle disease-carrying pests

By Mike Butts
Idaho Press-Tribune

CALDWELL — Caldwell may soon follow Nampa in being annexed into the Canyon County Mosquito Abatement District.

But it’s probably too late for it to happen in time for abatement service in the coming mosquito season. (more…)

Health: Residents of abatement district give final OK to annex city of Nampa in battle against West Nile

By Mike Butts
Idaho Press-Tribune

NAMPA — Canyon County Mosquito Abatement District residents have voted unanimously to annex the city of Nampa and expand local efforts to control the insects that spread West Nile virus.

The annexation request passed by a 99-0 vote Tuesday. (more…)

Public health: Expert says virus is far more serious than most realize

By Andrew Van Dam
Idaho Press-Tribune

NAMPA — Dr. John Noak of Homedale worries that Southwest Idaho residents do not fully grasp the scope of the threat posed by the West Nile virus.

“It’s actually a much more significant disease and there are more problems associated with it than most people realize,” he said.

Dr. Noak said he is treating between 40 and 50 patients with West Nile virus and even suffers from the virus himself. (more…)

Health: Deadly virus believed to have caused medical complications that killed Gooding County man

Idaho Press-Tribune staff

GOODING — West Nile virus is believed to have contributed to the recent death of a Gooding County man in his 70s.

This is the first West Nile related death in Gooding County and the 15th Idaho resident who has died from illnesses associated with West Nile virus in 2006. (more…)

Public health: Officials urge residents to protect themselves against mosquito-spread virus

Idaho Press-Tribune staff

BOISE — Idaho’s death toll to West Nile virus rose to 14 on Friday as officials reported that the illness is believed to have killed two more people in the state. (more…)

Public health: Officials urge residents to protect themselves against mosquito-spread virus

Idaho Press-Tribune staff

BOISE — Idaho’s death toll to West Nile virus rose to 12 on Tuesday as officials reported that the illness is believed to have killed two more people in the state. (more…)

TREASURE VALLEY — Even as a chill enters the valley’s air, the number of West Nile virus cases continues to grow. (more…)

Public health: Cooler weather should help, but officials urge hunters to use caution as fall approaches

Idaho Press-Tribune

BOISE — The number of people confirmed to have contracted the West Nile virus in Idaho reached 700 today, state officials reported. (more…)