West Nile virus detected in Grant County
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Last updated 7/1/2015 at 5:31pm
MOSES LAKE, WA – The Washington State Department of Health has notified the Grant County Health District that three Grant County mosquito samples were positive for West Nile virus. The samples were collected by Grant County Mosquito Control District #1. These are the first positive samples in Grant County this year and the second in Washington. The positive samples locations were:
· One trap: Sand Dunes Road and Camas Place “Western Sand Dunes”
· Two traps: Dodson Road near I-90 exit 164
There have been no human cases of the virus in Washington this year. “These positive samples confirm that West Nile virus is active in Grant County. Residents and guests need to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites,” says Todd Phillips, Environmental Health Manager.
The risk of getting West Nile virus is very low, but anyone can become infected. People over 50 years of age have the highest risk of serious illness. Most people who are infected with West Nile virus will not get sick. About 1 in 5 people infected will have mild symptoms such as fever, headache and body aches. Even fewer, about 1 in 150 people infected, will have more severe symptoms. Contact your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of a possible West Nile virus infection, especially if you recently had mosquito bites. Severe symptoms may include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis and coma.
It is important to protect yourself by avoiding mosquitoes. Take these steps to avoid mosquito bites and reduce the places where mosquitoes live and breed around your home.
· Stay indoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are the most active.
· Wear a long sleeve shirt, long pants, and a hat when going into mosquito-infested areas, such as wetlands or woods.
· Use mosquito repellant when necessary. Read the label and carefully follow instructions. Take special care when using repellent on children. Mosquito repellents that contain the active ingredients DEET, Picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus work best for long-lasting protection against mosquitoes.
· Make sure windows and doors are “bug tight” and repair or replace screens.
· Don’t give mosquitoes a home by:
o Emptying or discarding anything that holds standing water—bottles, cans, old tires, buckets, plastic covers, and toys.
o Changing water in birdbaths, fountains, wading pools, and animal troughs at least twice each week.
o Making sure roof gutters drain properly; and clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall.
o Fixing leaky outdoor faucets and sprinklers.
In addition to the mosquito surveillance done by Grant County Mosquito Control District #1, there is ongoing surveillance of the virus in dead birds. You can report a dead bird online at https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/eh/portal/ehs/odbrs/ or by calling the Grant County Health District at 509-766-7960.
For more information about West Nile Virus in Washington State visit: http://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/IllnessandDisease/WestNileVirus
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