For immediate
release:
August 28, 2009
(09-137)
Contacts:
Gordon MacCracken,
Communications Office 360-236-4072
Allison Cook, Communications Office
360-236-4022
West Nile virus: Second Western Washingtonbird tests positive
Discovery of infected crow in Lewis
County
reflects increased risk for people
OLYMPIA - A
crow collected in the Mossyrock area of Lewis County has tested positive for
West Nile virus — the second detection of the virus in Western Washington this
year.
This additional indication of West Nile virus activity in Western Washington means a greater risk for people to
become infected if they don’t take precautions. It’s the most recent evidence of
the virus on the state’s west side. An infected crow was found in Mason
County
in July.
The state’s first confirmed human West Nile infection this year was announced
last week — a Klickitat County man in his 50s. Other cases this week include two
dead birds from Franklin County, the first bird detections in that county’s
history, and six Eastern Washington horses.
In people, mild symptoms include fever, headache, and body aches. A few people
may develop severe symptoms that include headache, high fever, neck stiffness,
stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis, and
coma. In rare cases, it can be fatal.
To protect yourself from West Nile virus infection, avoid mosquito bites by
staying indoors at dawn and dusk if possible, and using repellent. Standing
water can become mosquito habitat, so don’t let it collect. Dump it or replace
it twice a week.
Current figures on the state’s
West Nile virus Web
site indicate the virus has been detected in 23 horses and 265 mosquito samples
in Eastern Washington counties: Adams, Grant, Benton, Franklin, Kittitas, and Yakima. Statewide this year, eight birds have tested
positive among 64 tested overall. Those numbers will rise when new figures are
posted by Tuesday.
People who find dead birds may
report them
online.###
