Testing by the State Hygienic Laboratory confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus in the state this year. Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced on July 20 that a patient from Ida County tested positive for the virus. The patient was not hospitalized and is recovering, according to IDPH.

Barb Shirazi, clinical lab technical specialist, checks a plate to ensure all excess coating antibody has been removed.

The Hygienic Laboratory also tests mosquitos caught in an IDPH surveillance program to determine the incidence of the virus in counties. In addition to Ida County, surveillance has identified four mosquito pools that tested positive for West Nile, one in Polk County, two in Pottawattamie County and one in Story County.

West Nile virus usually is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people with the virus have no symptoms or minor ones, which may include headache, fever, vomiting and rash. Fatigue and weakness caused by the virus can last for weeks or months. Less than 1 percent of people who are infected will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis

West Nile virus was first identified in North America in 1999. Within three years, the virus spread from a six-county area around New York City to 44 states (including Iowa), the District of Columbia and five Canadian provinces. In 2002, a total of 4,156 cases were reported nationwide, including 284 fatalities, according to the CDC. The same year, Iowa reported 52 human cases of the virus. In 2003, that number jumped to 147, which is the record high number of West Nile virus cases in the state.

In 2016, 37 human cases of West Nile virus were reported to IDPH, including one West Nile-related death. Additional information about the virus is available on the websites of IDPH and CDC.

Reduce the risk of exposure to West Nile virus by:

• Using insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Always read the repellent label and consult with a health care provider if you have questions when using these types of products for children. For example, DEET should not be used on infants under 2 months old, and oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under 3 years old.
• Avoiding outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wearing long-sleeved shirts, pants, shoes and socks whenever possible outdoors.
• Eliminating standing water around the home where mosquitoes lay eggs. Empty water from buckets, cans, pool covers and pet water dishes. Change water in bird baths every three to four days.