Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I recently read about West Nile concerns elsewhere in the Intermountain West. Since a fair number of people seem to be following this thread, I thought it would be appropriate for residents of Idaho Falls and surrounding areas, as well as visitors going to Yellowstone National Park (YNP), The Tetons, Jackson Hole, Craters of the Moon etc. to make sure they thoughts about West Nile Virus as well.
Many residents of states especially in on the east coast have dealt with West Nile longer than the residents of the Intermountain West. ID was about the last state, of the 48, to have it appear. Unfortunately, it did appear last year and not in just one spot.
I can't speak to other areas of the state, but I would like to start a discussion her of what the local health districts are doing spraying for mosquitoes, precautions -such as wearing long sleeve shirts and draining standing water etc. are already occurring in the Idaho Falls area.
Idaho Falls is very fortunate to have two superb Infectious Disease doctors, who were very over-worked last year with patients with WNV. If there is anyway possible for residents and visitors to think about precautions, given a discussion we could have here and a few people were spared the illness (or their lives), it's well worth it to me to start it.
What do all of you know about West Nile Virus, areas of particular concern in eastern ID (I'm not asking you to name your favorite fishing hole, but we all know there are some areas of stagnant water and as good neighbors and good hosts for guests, maybe we can identify some of those areas.
This is a very serious subject and I do hope all who can participate will. I believe all must be aware of the precautions to take so we can limit the human (and potentially some animal) risks, from this killer virus.
To get started, let me list these links for more information about the disease and in the State of Idaho.
1. CDC -----www.cdc.gov
2. The State of Idaho (entire state) - - www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/site/4278/default.aspx (broken link)
3. Eastern Idaho's Public Health District - - - -
Telephone: (208) 522-0310
FAX: (208) 525-7063 District 7 Home
I look forward to what others add.
Thank you for your help in trying to keep all who are in our area safer this summer!
Cleosmom has a West Nile Virus Thread, that I hope will get cross-referenced here.
But, in the interium as people look for information in different ways, here's the sad information about WNV and 2007.
From Idaho Falls based KIFI (who has a branch in Pocatello), this story was posted from the Idaho Dept. of Health and Welfare. (If you are NOT from ID or other familiar with the local health departments, PLEASE UNDERSTAND, "Health and Welfare," do not necessarily mean the same programs other states list only under those phrases).
KIFI posted
By: Idaho Department of Health & Welfare
"Idaho's first human cases of West Nile in 2007 have been confirmed.
An Ada County man in his 50's and a Payette County man in his 60's have both tested positive for West Nile virus. Right now, both men are recovering.
Officials also have confirmed several positive mosquito pools in Canyon, Gem, Elmore and Payette counties. One horse in Gem County also has tested positive for West Nile infection."
Just as a reminder, Ada County is the home of Boise. Payette County is near the Oregon Border, but essentially close to Boise.
The press release is longer and the entire press release can be accessed via the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare's website:
I didn't post the entire release as these men are both in Southwest ID, not eastern and I don't want to confuse visitors planning on visiting YNP, The Tetons etc.
I am bringing this thread up again, since a man from rural Lemhi County, ID has just tested positive for West Nile Virus. Lemhi County is the home to Salmon. However, the residence of the man has not been announced.
There have been 7 cases of WNV so far in ID this year, but this is indeed the first on the eastern side. Lemhi County borders with Montana. And despite being so rural, it is an area many drive through and higher up stream than some towns lower in central ID.
Unfortunately, some infected dead birds were found a few days ago. So who knows how many people have been in the same area and moved around the country since then?
Please, if you think you are risk, call your county health department, or go in, and contact your doctor.
The following is one of the better links about the 40 year old man just diagnosed with WNV earlier today. There is video to watch or print to read, whichever you prefer.
Please check the websites already posted in this thread, or those recommended by your health department or physician in the precautions to take!
We want all residents and visitors to enjoy our beautiful state and be as safe as possible. Please take the time to read how to protect yourself and those you love. Also, please monitor your pets.
Can anyone tell me if there are a few good Physicians, Dentists and Counselors in the Mountain Home area? I cannot relocate if nobody takes Medicaid and I can only get mediocre care.
Contact Medicaid in the State that Provides It; Post in Boise-Area Threads
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vinyard Meadows
Can anyone tell me if there are a few good Physicians, Dentists and Counselors in the Mountain Home area? I cannot relocate if nobody takes Medicaid and I can only get mediocre care.
Thanks all!
Vinyard Meadows,
Finding physicians, dentists and mental health experts in area can be quite a challenge for anyone.
Medicaid, since it can be obtained by about 4 different ways, can be more difficult. Since I have NO idea where you currently live (which state), the process can become much more complicated if Medicaid from one state will be the one paying to care in another state. Nevada Medicaid, for example, is hit and miss what it will even pay for in another state, IF you can find providers for accept it.
If you are already on Idaho Medicaid, then you have to have been assigned a worker who made sure you got the White card that looks like a credit card. Contact that person for help finding new providers, or contact Medicaid in Idaho at the central office (in Boise). You also might want to check with Elmore County Hospital - I believe that is the name.
I can't recommend any practitioners. As you know, Mountain Home is much closer to the Boise metro area. Some say airplanes must circle that far to land at the Boise Airport (Gowan Field). One person on this site, who has told me about hospitals in Boise and how good they are, is Syringagold. I hope I spelled that username correctly.
You may want to ask your question in the Boise-area threads and specifically of Syringagold and others who appear to know about Boise area medical services. Idaho Falls is in eastern ID. Mtn. Home, home of the Mtn. Home AFB, is quite close to Boise, in southwestern ID.
Most people are starting to understand a radiologist is at EIRMC for trauma cases (the first-call radiologist). But, not everyone realizes there is a second-call specialist available to come in when needed. The second call interventionalists have completed fellowships in Neuro. Cardiac and Interventional Radiology. You'll read or see for yourself why a second radiologist, who specializes in Interventional Procedures, is also on-call when needed.
Please see the video or read what happened when a young, pregnant mom who suffered a stroke.
"A new procedure is saving the lives of people at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.
"We met up with the very first patient who underwent a new blood clot correcting procedure.
"The procedure is called the Merci Device and it's already saving the lives of those suffering from strokes. Strokes are the number one cause of disability and the number three cause of death in this country.
"If it wasn't for this new device, Tiffany Woods, a mother of two, may have lost her life and the life of her unborn child.
"Tiffany suffered from a stroke last May, from a blood clot in her neck.
" 'My speech was really slurred and my face was droopy, and that's all I remember,' " she said.
"And since she was not a candidate for the usual drug therapy technique, usually given to stroke patients, this new technology arrived at the perfect time.
" 'I wouldn't be here if I didn't have the procedure I could have died without it.'
"The Merci Device, is used in combination with blood clot dissolving drugs to help get the blood flowing back to the brain.
"It's a tiny catheter inserted through the patient's groin which goes all the way up into the brain where the clots are, then doctors are able to pull back the clot and remove it.
" 'Strokes are similar to a heart attack saving the brain as to saving the heart,' " said Dr. John Strobel, a EIRMC Radiologist.
"EIRMC is grateful and ecstatic to have.
" "I'm very excited about it obviously you can save lives with it. I think we'll use it more and more,' " said Stobel.
"Woods along with the doctors aren't the only ones who are excited about the Merci Device. Wood's husband is also grateful to have his wife back but knows she still has a while before fully recovering.
" 'Yes it is a relief, we still got a long road, but we're hanging in there,' " said Martin Wood, Tiffany's Husband.
"Wood's baby is doing fine and she is due early October, but hopes he will arrive in late September. She still has to undergo occupational therapy, but that won't happen until after the baby is born.
"Merci is a new source of hope for the more than 700-thousand people who experience stroke in the U.S. every year.
Nice addition EIRMC and the radiologists who perform this life-saving treatment.
Most people are starting to understand a radiologist is at EIRMC for trauma cases (the first-call radiologist). But, not everyone realizes there is a second-call specialist available to come in when needed. The second call interventionalists have completed fellowships in Neuro. Cardiac and Interventional Radiology. You'll read or see for yourself why a second radiologist, who specializes in Interventional Procedures, is also on-call when needed.
Please see the video or read what happened when a young, pregnant mom who suffered a stroke.
"A new procedure is saving the lives of people at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.
"We met up with the very first patient who underwent a new blood clot correcting procedure.
"The procedure is called the Merci Device and it's already saving the lives of those suffering from strokes. Strokes are the number one cause of disability and the number three cause of death in this country.
"If it wasn't for this new device, Tiffany Woods, a mother of two, may have lost her life and the life of her unborn child.
"Tiffany suffered from a stroke last May, from a blood clot in her neck.
" 'My speech was really slurred and my face was droopy, and that's all I remember,' " she said.
"And since she was not a candidate for the usual drug therapy technique, usually given to stroke patients, this new technology arrived at the perfect time.
" 'I wouldn't be here if I didn't have the procedure I could have died without it.'
"The Merci Device, is used in combination with blood clot dissolving drugs to help get the blood flowing back to the brain.
"It's a tiny catheter inserted through the patient's groin which goes all the way up into the brain where the clots are, then doctors are able to pull back the clot and remove it.
" 'Strokes are similar to a heart attack saving the brain as to saving the heart,' " said Dr. John Strobel, a EIRMC Radiologist.
"EIRMC is grateful and ecstatic to have.
" "I'm very excited about it obviously you can save lives with it. I think we'll use it more and more,' " said Stobel.
"Woods along with the doctors aren't the only ones who are excited about the Merci Device. Wood's husband is also grateful to have his wife back but knows she still has a while before fully recovering.
" 'Yes it is a relief, we still got a long road, but we're hanging in there,' " said Martin Wood, Tiffany's Husband.
"Wood's baby is doing fine and she is due early October, but hopes he will arrive in late September. She still has to undergo occupational therapy, but that won't happen until after the baby is born."
"Merci is a new source of hope for the more than 700-thousand people who experience stroke in the U.S. every year."
Nice addition EIRMC and the radiologists who perform this life-saving treatment.
I've referred to this on the "Idaho Falls" thread as well. While this goes slightly off the subject of what types of hospitals, and the specialties they allow, are available in Idaho Falls, this is important too.
I've asked Cleosmom to write a post where it is the most appropriate about the newest E.R. to provide 24/7 service. Except in this case, the patients usually have fur and are small animals. Yes, I know some humans have fur etc. too.....but let's stay on the subject of this post. When Cleosmom is able to post that info one of us will put a cross - reference here.
And for those who are visiting or vacationing on their way to YNP, Jackson, the Tetons or just plain old fishing somewhere great and have brought along a best canine/feline friend, if your best furry friend gets sick, along with local residents, you can access emergent Veterinary Care much more easily now.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
First West Nile Virus Cases in 2007
WNV Precautions!!!!!!
Contact Medicaid in the State that Provides It; Post in Boise-Area Threads
MERCI, MERCI, MERCI - Look What EIRMC is Doing
