West Nile virus is confirmed in Lincoln County horse

A horse has tested positive for West Nile virus in Lincoln County, providing the first indication that the virus is present in the county.

“Counties adjacent to Lincoln have been having significant West Nile virus activity this season,” said Ed Dzedzy, Public Health Administrator. “Now we know the virus is here, and it’s important for people to avoid mosquito bites.”

A few simple precautions can help reduce your chances of getting mosquito bites:

• Use a mosquito repellent when spending time outdoors, and consider wearing long sleeves and pants when mosquitoes are most active.

• Stay indoors around dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

• Be sure that door and window screens are in good condition so that mosquitoes cannot get indoors.

• Reduce mosquito habitat around the home by dumping standing or stagnant water in old buckets, cans, flower pots or old tires and frequently change water in birdbaths, pet dishes and water troughs.

At least 13 people and 10 horses in the state have contracted West Nile virus already this year. Mosquitoes that transmit the virus are found throughout Washington and health officials recommend avoiding mosquito bites to help prevent getting infected. Although there is no human vaccine for it, there is a vaccine for horses that can be obtained through a veterinarian.

Most people infected with West Nile virus will have no symptoms at all. Others may develop fever, headache, or body aches. For a small percentage of people, West Nile virus infection can be very serious, resulting in encephalitis, meningitis or other complications. People over age 50 have the highest risk for serious illness.

It’s impossible to predict what each year may bring, so it’s important to do things to prevent mosquito bites and protect yourself from West Nile virus infection. More information is available on the Washington State Department of Health’s website, and through their West Nile virus information line: 1-866-78-VIRUS (1-866-788-4787).

Theresa Adkinson, acting administrator of the Grant County Health Department, has also issued an update on the virus in Grant County. As summer temperatures increase, so has the number of West Nile virus cases in Moses Lake and throughout Grant County. The health department was notified of a “probable” human case in a resident, who was likely infected in Grant County. A “probable” human case means that a person has symptoms, and laboratory testing is performed to support the idea that the person was exposed to the virus. This is the first human case of West Nile Virus in 2015 and the first case found in a Grant County resident since 2010.

A magpie collected from an area northeast of Moses Lake has also tested positive for the virus. So far in 2015, the number of positive mosquito samples in Grant County has more than doubled compared to 2014 (72 thus far in 2015, 34 total in 2014). The samples were collected by Grant County Mosquito Control District #1.

There are likely more people with the illness who do not seek care. The increase in mosquitoes and the early season for seeing the virus is thought to be due to the early and extremely warm weather that much of Washington has experienced this year. People are urged to take steps to prevent infections.

Mosquito Control District #1 has increased the areas being sprayed for adult mosquitoes. All persons visiting or recreating in Grant County should take precautions to protect themselves from being bitten. Mosquito Control District #1 is actively trapping and testing mosquitoes. It is likely the virus is present throughout the county. Therefore all residents/visitors should take steps to “fight the bite.”

Prevention

The virus is most often spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. People cannot spread it to other people. It is important that all people living, working, and playing in Grant County protect themselves from being bitten by mosquitoes. There is no human vaccine.

West Nile Virus illness

The risk of getting the illness is low, but anyone can become infected. Most people with the virus have no symptoms, but an estimated 1 in 5 people infected with the virus will have symptoms 3-14 days after the mosquito bite.

Illness from the virus is usually mild and includes fever, head and body aches and possibly a rash. However, serious illness that involves the nervous system, such as encephalitis and meningitis, and death are also possible. Serious illness can occur in people of any age, however, people over age 50 or people with weakened immune systems (for example, transplant patients) are at the highest risk for getting severely ill when infected with the virus. Those with symptoms are encouraged to contact their health care providers.

West Nile and birds

Tracking dead birds and testing certain ones is an important part of monitoring viral activity. You can help by reporting dead birds online at https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/eh/portal/ehs/odbrs/ or by calling the Grant County Health Department at 509-766-7960. Birds cannot spread the virus to people.

West Nile and horses

Mosquitoes can also spread the virus to horses, therefore it is important to speak to your veterinarian about vaccinating your horses. It is never too late to get your horses vaccinated! The Washington State Department of Agriculture works with veterinarians to track the virus in horses. For more information visit: http://agr.wa.gov/FoodAnimal/AnimalHealth/Diseases/WestNileVirus/

Horses cannot spread the virus to people.

2015 statewide cases

In addition to the positive mosquitoes in Grant County, statewide cases are as follows:

12 human cases in Washington (Benton, Franklin, Adams and Grant Counties)

6 horse cases (Benton, Franklin, Adams and Yakima Counties)

3 bird cases (Benton and Grant Counties)

98 positive mosquito samples in five counties (Benton, Franklin, Grant, Yakima and Walla Walla Counties)

For more information about West Nile Virus in Washington state visit: http://www.doh.wa.gov/DataandStatisticalReports/DiseasesandChronicConditions/WestNileVirus as well as http://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/IllnessandDisease/WestNileVirus.