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For immediate release: December 29, 2008 (08-197-revised)
This document has been revised to correct data errors
Contacts:
Donn Moyer, Communications Office
360-236-4076
Allison Cook, Communications Office
360-236-4022
OLYMPIA ¾ The 2008 West Nile virus (www.doh.wa.gov/WNV) season is history and proved to be the most active season for the virus Washington has had since monitoring began in 2001.
Three human infections were reported in 2008 — one in King County and two in Yakima County. The King County resident traveled to Eastern Washington during the exposure period and was probably infected there. A fourth state resident was confirmed with the infection, but had traveled out of state for part of the likely infection period, so is not counted as a state case.
The busy testing season ended in November: 84 horses, 178 birds, and 1,287 mosquito samples were tested for West Nile virus. Quite a few tested positive: 41 horses; 22 birds; and 57 mosquito samples had West Nile infection. Most of the activity was in Yakima County: 26 horses, three birds, and 41 mosquito samples. In Benton County four horses, 10 birds, and 14 mosquito samples were positive. West Nile virus was detected for the first time in Grant County with positive results in 10 horses, one bird, and two mosquito samples. Kittitas had one horse case.
While the majority of West Nile activity occurred east of the Cascades, some dead birds collected in Western Washington tested positive. There were three in King, one in Lewis, three in Pierce, and one in Thurston Counties. These positive tests show that the virus is established in Eastern Washington and is making inroads into Western Washington.
West Nile virus is a bird disease that’s spread by infected mosquitoes. The best way to reduce the chance of infection is to avoid mosquito bites. State and local health, mosquito control districts, other state agencies, and volunteers work together on environmental monitoring for the virus.
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