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OLYMPIA ¾ 2007 was a surprisingly slow season for West Nile virus in Washington. After the first human cases in 2006, it seemed the state was primed for a big year that just never came.
“We’re fortunate that West Nile virus was not a significant problem in our state this year, especially after the activity we saw last year in our state and region,” said Gregg Grunenfelder, Assistant Secretary for the Department of Health’s Environmental Health Division.
In 2007, monitoring detected eight horses and one dead bird that were positive for West Nile virus. This year Washington also saw its first case confirmed in a dog. All 2007 cases were in Yakima County. Environmental monitoring has ended for the year; mosquito and dead bird testing will resume around the state next spring.
In 2006, three people, six horses and 13 dead birds tested positive for West Nile virus in our state. Idaho had more than 1,000 human cases; Oregon had around 70 human cases last year. As 2007 winds down, Idaho has reported 108 human infections and Oregon has reported 27.
“The lack of much West Nile virus activity in the Northwest this year demonstrates how difficult it is to predict the occurrence of this disease,” said Nancy Napolilli of the agency’s Office of Environmental Health and Safety. “Other states that have had West Nile activity for several years are finding that it can be a minor problem one year and become a significant problem the following year.”
Multiple factors may affect whether West Nile virus is bad one year and not the next. Weather and environmental conditions, animal host and mosquito populations, mosquito control activities and the public’s awareness of preventing the disease all play a role in the intensity of virus activity in any year. The presence of the virus may also be limited to one area, affecting one county or city greatly while sparing a neighboring community.
“Although the severity of West Nile virus activity is difficult to predict, we know that the virus is establishing itself in our state and an outbreak is possible in the coming years,” Grunenfelder said. “Working with our partners, we’ll continue to provide local communities advanced warning of West Nile virus by doing environmental monitoring and helping with local plans to minimize potential outbreaks.”
West Nile virus is bird disease that is spread to people, birds, horses and other animals by infected mosquitoes. The best way to reduce the chances of infection is to avoid mosquito bites.
More information on West Nile virus (www.doh.wa.gov/WNV) is available on the Department of Health’s Web site or by calling the agency’s toll-free phone line, 1-866-78VIRUS.
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