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Benton County health officials said Thursday they believe they've found the first human case of West Nile virus in the county.
A sample taken from a Prosser resident tested presumptive positive for the virus in a local laboratory and has been forwarded to the Washington State Department of Health for confirmation. The person was not identified.
"Although this initial positive test may not be confirmed as West Nile virus, we are notifying the public and our medical providers about the potential case as a reminder that the virus can cause severe illness," said Dr. Larry Jecha, health officer for Benton and Franklin counties.
"This time of year -- late summer and early autumn -- is when cases in people traditionally appear," he added. "There is no cure for West Nile virus, but fighting mosquito bites helps to prevent infection."
Jecha said the person became ill sometime last week after being bitten by a mosquito and now is improving. The person was not hospitalized.
The district hasn't been made aware of any other suspected cases in Benton or Franklin counties, but Jecha said he thinks they're out there.
"For every positive case, we have many other probable cases," he said. "I think it's pretty well embedded in our community. ... It's usually August when it really becomes embedded in humans."
The announcement of a possible human case came on the heels of the identification of five more West Nile-positive birds in Benton County earlier today.
Six infected birds have been found so far this year in West Richland, Richland, Kennewick and Prosser.
"This widespread West Nile virus activity indicates a high risk of cases to residents and visitors in our area," said Susan Shelton, environmental health specialist for the health district.
The district now will focus testing on Franklin County and south Benton County in the vicinities of Paterson, Plymouth and Crow Butte.
West Nile has been present in the United States since 1999, and in Washington since 2005. Benton County saw its first infected birds and horses last year, but no human cases, although Jecha said a Seattle resident who tested positive for West Nile in 2008 had traveled through Prosser.
Birds carry the disease and mosquitoes pick it up when they bite birds. Then mosquitoes pass it on to horses or humans through bites.
Most people who become infected show no symptoms. But up to 20 percent of those infected could suffer from a fever, headache, body aches, nausea and vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash.
About one in 150 infected people may develop more severe symptoms that last several weeks and cause permanent neurological damage or death. People over 50 are more likely to develop severe symptoms.
To reduce the risk of exposure to West Nile:
* Eliminate sources of standing water.
* Avoid outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are active.
* Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants in mosquito-infested areas.
* Use mosquito repellents containing DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus and Picardin.
* Make sure screen doors and windows are in good repair and fit tightly.
The Benton County Mosquito Control District will spray Dibrom from the air over 35,000 acres in Richland, West Richland, Benton City and Prosser on Monday and Tuesday to kill mosquitoes that may carry the disease.
