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For immediate release: September 26, 2007 (07-159)
Contacts:
Donn Moyer, Communications Office
360-236-4076
Tim Church, Communications Office
360-236-4077
West Nile virus confirmed in dead hawk collected in Mabton, Yakima County
Red-tailed hawk is state’s first West Nile positive bird of the season
OLYMPIA ¾ A red-tailed hawk from the Mabton area in Yakima County has tested positive for West Nile virus — the first infected dead bird found in the state in 2007. Eight horses from Yakima County have also tested positive for West Nile virus this year. There have been no reports of people being infected with the virus within the state so far this season.
Raptors such as hawks, eagles and owls are susceptible to West Nile virus. Crows, jays, magpies and ravens are also more likely than many other birds to die after being infected with the virus. These types of dead birds are targeted for testing and should be reported to local health agencies.
After picking up West Nile virus from an infected bird, a mosquito can infect other animals, such as people and horses. Testing animals provides an early warning for local communities.
"When animals such as birds or horses test positive for West Nile, it’s an indication that the disease is in the mosquitoes of that area," said Dorothy Tibbetts, manager of the zoonotic disease program at the state Department of Health. "We’re fortunate that the mosquito season is waning with the cooler weather and West Nile virus has been limited in Washington this year."
Last year, West Nile virus continued its expansion into new areas of the Northwest. In Idaho, more than 1,000 people were sickened by West Nile virus infection and 23 died. Oregon had about 70 human cases. Washington reported its first cases of people infected within the state in 2006. West Nile virus activity appears to have dropped off in the northwest in 2007, but it may be a problem in the future.
"Some years may be worse than others but West Nile virus is here to stay," said Tibbetts. "We can all do things to guard against West Nile infection. The key is avoiding mosquito bites."
Simple measures can reduce the risk of exposure to mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus:
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when mosquitoes are most active (usually at dusk and dawn).
Use an effective mosquito repellent. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus have been proven to be effective.
Make sure the screens on all doors and windows are working properly.
More information on West Nile virus (www.doh.wa.gov/WNV) is available on the Department of Health Web site and online from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/). Gordon Kelly of the Yakima Health District is available at 509-249-6507 to answer questions about local West Nile virus monitoring and other environmental health issues.
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