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For immediate release: July 18, 2005 (05-092)
Contacts:
Donn Moyer, Communications Office
360-236-4076
Deanna Whitman, Communications
Office 360-236-4022
Spokane-area woman’s blood test is negative for West Nile virus infection
OLYMPIA ¾ Blood tests conducted by the Department of Health show the illness of a Spokane-area woman was not caused by West Nile virus infection. The woman had initially tested positive; however, additional tests showed that her illness was not caused by West Nile virus. There have not been any cases of West Nile virus infection in horses, birds or humans this year in Washington. Last year, the confirmed human West Nile virus infections in our state had been traveling to areas where West Nile was active when exposed.
The woman, who is in her twenties, was hospitalized with symptoms similar to West Nile fever infection; however, today’s result from testing conducted by the state Public Health Laboratories in Shoreline indicates that West Nile virus was not the cause of her illness. Many other illnesses can have the same symptoms of fever and headache. The negative result from this test means the Department of Health will not send samples to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) laboratory in Fort Collins, Colorado for confirmatory tests.
West Nile virus infection can be very serious, especially for people 50 years of age and older. While most people infected with West Nile virus don’t have any symptoms, this is a good reminder of the importance of prevention. The disease is not spread from person-to-person, but from the bite of an infected mosquito; the best protection is avoiding mosquito bites.
Personal protection is simple: avoid going outside when mosquitoes are most active around dawn and dusk; wear long pants and long sleeves when outside in areas where mosquitoes are active; and use an effective mosquito repellant (be sure to follow directions on the package).
It is also a good idea to take steps to reduce areas around the home that attract mosquitoes. Many types of mosquitoes known to carry West Nile virus breed in small pools of standing or stagnant water. Keep pet dishes, water troughs and bird baths fresh by replacing the water often; empty old cans that collect water; and replace the water in children’s wading pools. Old tires collect water and are another common breeding area for mosquitoes.
Our West Nile virus Web site (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.
The Department of Health Zoonotic Disease program is working with local health agencies around the state to monitor for West Nile virus. Birds that die from West Nile virus infection often are the first indication that the disease is moving into a new area, so many local health agencies in Washington are collecting dead birds for testing. So far this year, 121 dead birds from our state have been tested and none have been infected with West Nile virus. A dozen horses have also been tested, and the program samples some mosquitoes for the disease; so far, all have been negative for the disease. Even though there have been no positive test results in our state this year, West Nile virus activity has begun in other states, including California, so it is important that people take precautions to protect themselves.
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