West Nile Virus Confirmed in Valley County

A Valley County resident in their 80s was recently diagnosed with the West Nile Virus (WNV), becoming the first confirmed human case in Valley County this season, announced the Valley County Health Department on Aug. 28.

This case is one of currently 21 confirmed cases of the virus throughout the state, which has also appeared in Blaine, Carbon, Cascade, Lewis and Clark, McCone, Roosevelt and Toole Counties. On Aug. 29, Riverstone Health and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services also reported the first human death this year in Montana, an elderly Yellowstone County male. According to the release, this was the first West Nile virus associated death in the state since 2016.

When thinking about mosquitoes, some might only associate them with being a nuisance while participating in summer activities such as swimming, barbecuing, or camping. According to Leslie Simensen, RN from the Valley County Health Department, mosquitoes are still prevalent through October, and precautions must still be in place to avoid being bit by a mosquito and contracting the virus.

There is no vaccine to prevent WNV, so the best way to prevent the virus is to follow the 4D’s--DEET, Drain, Dawn/Dusk and Dress. “Prevention of the virus is key. The best way to avoid the virus is to protect yourself and prevent mosquito bites,” said Simensen. When spending any time outdoors, make sure to apply insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin. According to Simensen, a solution with 25 percent to 35 percent DEET is best, but children ages 2-12 should use repellent with no more than 10 percent DEET. Picaridin is safe for pregnant women and young children as an alternative to DEET.

Any standing water around your house, such as a swimming pool or birdbath, must be emptied of standing water to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. Another tip of prevention is to avoid being outside during the hours of dawn and dusk, as mosquitoes are most active during these times of day. Simensen says if you must be out, then take precautions to prevent bites, such as wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants as well as applying insect repellent. Even during the day, if there is no DEET or picaridin available, protect yourself by wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants while outside.

According to Simensen, about four out of five people infected with WNV experience no symptoms. About one in five infected people experience mild symptoms that may include headache, muscle aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. These types of cases require no treatment. “When infected with WNV most people will not have symptoms and not even know they have been exposed. These people will develop immunity to the virus after clearing the infection,” said Simensen.

Serious symptoms can develop in rare cases with fewer than one in 100 people of those infected develop serious infections in or around the brain, also known as neuro-invasive disease. Life-threatening symptoms include headache, rash, high fever, stiff neck, mental confusion, and other symptoms.

For more information on West Nile Virus and how to protect yourself, contact the Valley County Health Department at 406-228-6261.