“Surveillance data suggests low levels of virus circulation throughout Canyon County,” said Jim Lunders, Director of the Canyon County Mosquito Abatement District.

Lunders explained that the District routinely sets gravid traps and dry ice-baited EVS Traps at over 100 locations to monitor adult mosquito populations and the presence of vector-borne diseases. To date, the District has tested nearly 1,300 mosquito pools this season for West Nile virus, with three testing positive, each from different locations.

The areas where the mosquitoes were collected have been treated for both larval and adult mosquitoes.

“We encourage the public to help us reduce the mosquito population by eliminating larval habitat around your homes,” Lunders stated.

To reduce the risk of exposure to West Nile virus, Lunders recommends the following precautions:

Eliminate Standing Water: Remove or treat all sources of standing water, such as flooded fields, birdbaths, unused wading and swimming pools, clogged gutters, and old tires. “If it holds water for seven days, it can produce mosquitoes,” Lunders warned.

Personal Protection: Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when in mosquito-infested areas. Use mosquito repellents containing DEET, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, Picaridin, or 2-undecanone, following the directions on the container. Ensure all screen doors and windows are in good repair and fit tightly.

Protect Livestock: Vaccinate horses for West Nile virus (WNV), Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE), and other diseases. Use EPA-registered residual insect sprays on horses, following the directions on the container. Have your livestock watering troughs stocked with mosquitofish for free by submitting a service request to the CCMAD.

Report Large Sites: Notify the District at (208) 461-8633 if you have a site that is too large to eliminate so it can be properly treated.

For more information on mosquitoes and the diseases they carry, visit:

• Idaho Department of Health and Welfare https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/health-wellness/diseases-conditions/west-nile-virus
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html
• Canyon County Mosquito Abatement District https://www.2cmad.org/

According to the Canyon County Mosquito Abatement District West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes collected on August 1, 2024, southwest of Melba, Idaho, and on August 6, 2024, west of Caldwell. This marks the second and third positive test results in Canyon County this season.

Lunders explained that the Canyon County Mosquito Abatement District routinely sets gravid traps and dry ice-baited EVS Traps at over 100 locations throughout Canyon County to monitor for adult mosquito populations and the presence of vector-borne diseases.  To date, the District has tested over 1,009 mosquito pools this season for West Nile virus, Wednesday’s pools were the first to test positive.

The areas where the mosquitoes were collected have been treated for both larval and adult mosquitoes.  The District has increased control measures in response to the increased public health threat. With the increased risk of West Nile virus, they encourage people to take appropriate precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites. The Canyon County Mosquito Abatement District offered the following suggestions to reduce the risk of exposure to West Nile virus:

• Eliminate or treat all sources of standing water that can be a breeding ground for biting mosquitoes, such as:
  •  flooded fields
  •  birdbaths
  •  wading & swimming pools not in use
  •  clogged gutters
  •  old tires

If it holds water for 7 days, it can produce mosquitoes.

• Wear repellents while outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when in mosquito-infested areas.
• Use mosquito repellents containing DEET, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, Picaridin or 2-undecanone, making sure to follow the directions on the container.
• Make sure all screen doors and windows are in good repair and fit tightly.
• Vaccinate horses for WNv, WEE, and other diseases.
• Use EPA-registered residual insect sprays on horses, making sure to follow the directions on the container.
• Have your livestock watering troughs stocked with mosquitofish for free by submitting a service request to CCMAD.
• Notify the District at (208) 461-8633 if you have a site that is too large to be eliminated so it can be properly treated.

Additional information on mosquitoes and the diseases they carry can be found at the following links:

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/health-wellness/diseases-conditions/west-nile-virus

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html

Canyon County Mosquito Abatement District https://www.2cmad.org/

For more information, please contact the Director of Constituent Services, Aaron Williams at (208) 614-5011.

As spring begins, Treasure Valley horse owners should take action to protect their animals from mosquitoes, and the diseases that they carry, including West Nile virus (WNv). “WNv is present annually in Southwest Idaho and it is important for residents to take steps to protect themselves and their horses from vector borne diseases,” said Jim Lunders, Director of the Canyon County Mosquito Abatement District.

Lunders explained that horses are particularly susceptible to WNv as they have no protection from mosquito bites other than what is provided by their owners. “A horse in a stall or pasture can’t go inside or put on insect repellant when bothered by mosquitoes,” said Lunders. “Horse owners have a responsibility to minimize their exposure to mosquito bites and properly vaccinate them against WNv, Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE) and other diseases.”

“WNv vaccination continues to be an essential preventive measure and should be given annually to provide an adequate level of protection from the virus,” said Idaho State Veterinarian Dr. Scott Leibsle. “Nearly 98 percent of horses that test positive for WNv are non-vaccinated or under-vaccinated. Horse owners should speak with their veterinarians about the WNv vaccination and other annual core vaccinations as well as how to follow an annual booster schedule. Horses that have been vaccinated for WNv in previous years MUST receive an annual booster; a one-time vaccination is not enough.”

It is recommended that an unvaccinated horse receive its first dose of vaccine by April 30, to be properly protected from WNv & WEE.

In addition to vaccination, it is extremely important to take steps to reduce mosquito production in the area immediately around your horse. It is common for mosquito larva to be found in water troughs or stock tanks, “It is unfortunate, but many horses are sickened by mosquitoes likely raised in their own pens” said Lunders “all stock tanks should be stocked with mosquitofish or treated with BTI or Methoprene if they cannot be drained and cleaned weekly.”

“With the onset of Spring and warmer temperatures, we encourage people to take appropriate precautions to protect themselves and their animals from mosquitoes and the diseases they carry,” said Lunders.

He offered the following suggestions to reduce you and your animals’ risk:

• Vaccinate horses for WNv, WEE, and other diseases.
• Use EPA registered residual insect sprays on horses, making sure to follow the directions on the container.
• Have your livestock watering troughs stocked with mosquitofish for free by submitting a service request to CCMAD.
• Eliminate or treat all sources of standing water that can be a breeding ground for biting mosquitoes, such as: flooded fields, birdbaths, wading & swimming pools not in use, clogged gutters and old tires.

If it holds water for 7 days, it can produce mosquitoes.

• Wear repellents while outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when in mosquito-infested areas.
• Use mosquito repellents containing DEET, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, Picaridin or 2-undecanone, making sure to follow the directions on the container.
• Make sure all screen doors and windows are in good repair and fit tightly.

Additional information on mosquitoes and the diseases they carry can be found at:

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare — https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/health-wellness/diseases-conditions/west-nile-virus

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/

American Mosquito Control Association — https://www.mosquito.org/

Points of Contact: James J. Lunders, District Director Canyon County Mosquito Abatement District; 208-461-8633; jlunders@2cmad.org

Scott R. Leibsle, DVM, DABVP, State Veterinarian, Idaho State Department of Agriculture; 208-332-8540; Scott.leibsle@isda.idaho.gov