Mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus have been found in Gem County, the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare reports; public health officials are reminding people to take precautions against mosquito bites. “Disease-carrying mosquitoes will be around now until a killing frost, so it is critical that you protect yourself and family members from their bite,” said Dr. Leslie Tengelsen, deputy state epidemiologist.

Last year, 19 human cases of West Nile infection were reported in 15 Idaho counties, with no deaths. It was the first year that West Nile was detected in the northern Panhandle of the state, with a mosquito pool from Boundary County testing positive for the virus. In 2006, Idaho led the nation in West Nile human illnesses with almost 1,000 infections, which contributed to 23 deaths. There’s more info here.