Uptick Of Mosquitoes With West Nile Reported in Central Washington

Health officials are warning those living in eastern Washington to be on the lookout for mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus. DOH reported Tuesday that seven samples came back positive between Benton and Yakima counties. At this point, no human cases have been reported in Washington for 2020.

West Nile can be a serious, even fatal, illness that can affect people, horses, birds, and other animals. The virus is almost always spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Health officials remind you the importance of removing mosquito habitat, such as standing water, and when you go outside use bug spray and wear long sleeves.

The majority of people infected with the virus do not get sick. About one in five will develop symptoms that go away without medical treatment. Even fewer, about one in 150 people infected, will have more severe symptoms, officials said.

Severe symptoms may include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis, and coma. People with any of those symptoms should contact their healthcare provider right away.

In Washington, the West Nile virus season starts as early as July and can last until early October.

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