Southwest District Health officials confirmed Friday the first human case of West Nile Meningitis in Payette County. The man, in his 50s, was hospitalized. This is the fourth human case of acute West Nile virus reported in Idaho in 2012. Nationally, The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) reports the highest number of cases at this point in August since the disease was first detected in 1999. “We know that anyone at any age, bitten by an infected mosquito is at risk for West Nile Virus,” said Jennifer Tripp, public health program manager for Southwest District Health. “However, adults over the age of 50, with other underlying medical conditions or a weakened immune system, are at a greater risk of having serious illness.” Most infections do not lead to illness, but one out of five who become infected with the West Nile virus show symptoms such as fever, headaches, body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash. These symptoms could last for only a few days or for several weeks, health officials say. Symptoms typically occur from 3 to 14 days after the bite from an infected mosquito. There is no specific treatment for infection, but in more severe cases, people generally need hospitalization. “Less than one percent, or 1 in 150 people infected with WNV develop severe, neurologic illness, such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the linings of the brain and spinal cord) which may be life threatening,” Tripp said. “These more severe infections are marked by a high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, coma, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.” West Nile cases typically peak in mid-August or early September, just in time for students returning to school and outdoor school activities, so additional precautions should be taken. Mosquitoes can bite any time, but those carrying West Nile are generally more active between dusk and dawn. There is no West Nile vaccine available for humans at this time, so Tripp suggests that people take steps to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites. These precautions include: * When you are outdoors, use insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient, such as DEET or Picaridin. Parents should not apply repellant that contains more than 10 percent DEET on their children. In addition, certain products which contain permethrin are recommended for use on clothing, shoes, bed nets, and camping gear. Follow the directions on the package. * Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves, pants, shoes, socks and loose-fitting clothing between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes that carry West Nile are most active and feeding. If possible, consider staying indoors during these hours. * Make sure you have well-fitting screens, in good condition, on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out. * Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by draining standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in birdbaths and feeding troughs at least twice a week. Drill holes in tire swings or old tires so water drains out. Keep children's wading pools empty or on their sides when not in use. * Don’t over-irrigate your lawns, gardens, or pastures.