West Nile Virus identified in Adams County

The Adams County Health Department was notified July 30 of West Nile Virus disease in Adams County.

West Nile virus has been identified in mosquito pools in nearby counties in increasing amounts lately and with the report of WNV infection in Adams County the following information is important prevention information for residents of Adams County.

Adams County Mosquito Control District has been notified of the situation and is monitoring mosquito pools in Adams County.

WNV is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. It is important all people living, working and playing in Adams County protect themselves from being bitten by mosquitoes. There is no human vaccine for WNV.

Take these steps to avoid mosquito bites and reduce the places where mosquitoes 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 repellent when outdoors. Repellents that contain the active ingredients DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 work best for long-lasting protection against mosquitoes. Use caution when applying repellents on children.

Make sure windows and doors are “bug tight” and repair or replace screens.

Remove mosquito breeding areas around your home by emptying or discarding anything that holds standing water—bottles, cans, old tires, buckets, plastic covers, and toys. Change water in birdbaths, fountains, wading pools, and animal troughs at least twice each week. Make sure roof gutters drain properly. And fix leaky outdoor faucets and sprinklers.

The risk of getting WNV is very low, but anyone can become infected. People over 50 years of age and those with compromised immune systems have the highest risk of serious illness. Most people who are infected with WNV 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 a healthcare provider for symptoms of a possible WNV infection, especially for recent mosquito bites.

Severe symptoms may include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis and coma.

Tracking dead birds is another important part of monitoring WNV activity in the community. You can help by reporting dead birds online at https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/eh/portal/ehs/odbrs/ or by calling Adams County Health Department at 509-488-2031.

Mosquitoes can also spread WNV to horses, therefore is important to speak to your veterinarian about vaccinating your horses. The Washington State Department of Agriculture works with veterinarians to track WNV in horses. See their website for more info: http://agr.wa.gov/FoodAnimal/AnimalHealth/Diseases/WestNileVirus/.

Horses cannot spread WNV to humans.

For more information about West Nile Virus in Washington State visit: http://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/IllnessandDisease/WestNileVirus.