Post Falls teen may have West Nile

A Post Falls teenager may have come down with Kootenai County’s second case of West Nile virus and perhaps the first locally contracted incident of the mosquito-borne illness this year.

The girl, who was not identified, was treated at Kootenai Medical Center on Tuesday for symptoms consistent with West Nile fever, Panhandle Health District officials said.

Blood tests confirmed the presence of antibodies for West Nile virus, which means the girl had the illness in the past. Results of a second blood test expected next week will determine whether the virus caused her current illness, said Cynthia Taggart, spokeswoman for the district.

If the second test is positive, it would be the second confirmed case of West Nile virus in Kootenai County this year.

The girl who fell ill this week had traveled to Western Oregon and Western Montana, but officials believe she acquired the virus at home, Taggart said.

Although the illness largely has avoided North Idaho and Washington, health officials have said the spread of the disease is inevitable in coming years.