Category: News

Ada County, Idaho — Last week, Central District Health (CDH) confirmed the death of an Ada County resident who passed away from West Nile Virus (WNV) contracted in Ada County. The resident was a male over the age of 50 and is the first death related to WNV this year. “The recent infections and discovery of mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus serves as a reminder to protect ourselves. West Nile Virus is present in many of our counties and we encourage members of the public to use caution and prevention measures to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their animals,” stated Lindsay Haskell, CDH’s Communicable Disease Control Manager.

Valley County, Idaho – A second round of water quality sampling at Payette Lake confirmed normal levels of cyanobacteria consistent with high water quality. Final lab results are expected soon following a comprehensive analysis at a national lab that specializes in identifying cyanobacteria and their cyanotoxins. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality will share that information with the public as soon as it’s available. DEQ collected samples at three Payette Lake locations, including the western edge of North Beach, a northwestern portion of the lake, and a section between Brown Park and Mile High Marina.

Valley County, Idaho – Central District Health (CDH), in conjunction with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), has issued a public health advisory, effective immediately, for Cascade Reservoir due to the presence of cyanobacteria, also known as a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB). DEQ will continue conducting surveillance through satellite imagery, on-site observation, and will continue with weekly water sampling of Cascade Reservoir. People and animals can get sick if they swim, wade, or play in or near HAB-contaminated water, eat contaminated fish, shellfish, or use contaminated drinking water.

Valley County, Idaho – An increase in public concerns regarding water quality at Cascade Reservoir has prompted the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to perform additional water sampling for the possible presence of cyanobacteria, which can cause Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). Test results are pending and anticipated later this week. In the meantime, people should use caution when recreating in and around the reservoir, and should especially consider keeping kids and dogs from playing, wading or swimming in the water until test results are known.

CENTRAL DISTRICT HEALTH (Idaho) — A new school year may be starting soon, but summer activities and recreation remain in full swing. With a rabid bat recently found in Boise County and mosquitoes in Ada and Elmore Counties testing positive for West Nile Virus (WNV), Central District Health (CDH) wants to remind people to stay safe by protecting themselves from such threats and possible related illnesses. “These are common threats that we see each summer, but we want to remind people they need to remain diligent in protecting themselves from mosquito bites, and that wildlife, like bats, can be a source of rabies – it’s a good opportunity for parents to talk to their kids about ways to stay safe, too,” said Lindsay Haskell, Communicable Disease Control Manager at Central District Health.