For immediate release: July 8, 2005 (05-087)

Contacts:
Donn Moyer, Communications Office 360-236-4076
Tim Church, Communications Office 360-236-4077

OLYMPIA ¾ Testing was inconclusive on a blood sample from a Spokane woman listed as a "probable" West Nile illness case. Initial tests at a local lab in the Spokane area indicated that the woman’s illness may be caused by West Nile virus. If it is eventually confirmed, it would be the first illness due to West Nile virus acquired within the state of Washington.

The Spokane Regional Health District will ask the patient for another blood sample to conduct a repeat test at the Department of Health Public Health Laboratories in Shoreline. An inconclusive result could indicate that the blood sample was collected too soon after the onset of symptoms, before antibodies had developed. If the retest at the Public Health Laboratories indicates a positive result, a sample would be sent to the Fort Collins, Colorado lab operated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Only a positive test result from CDC will confirm the illness as due to West Nile virus.

West Nile virus is spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes and is not spread person-to-person. We continue to encourage people to avoid mosquito bites as the best strategy to prevent West Nile virus infection. Our West Nile virus Web site (http://www.doh.wa.gov/WNV) provides more information about the disease, our monitoring program and additional tips on avoiding mosquito bites. The Department of Health West Nile virus information line 1-866-78-VIRUS (1-866-788-4787) is also a good source of information.

Environmental monitoring for the disease in mosquitoes, horses and dead birds continues. Our Zoonotic Disease program is tracking the results, including 43 mosquito pools, a dozen horses and 99 dead birds tested so far this year; all of these tests have been negative for West Nile virus.

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