Walla Walla County officials said Friday they've identified the first West Nile-positive bird in the county -- found near Burbank.
The state Department of Health confirmed the red-tailed hawk tested positive for the virus, which has not been seen before in Walla Walla County.
"It's not surprising to find a positive bird here in Walla Walla County," said Harvey R. Crowder, the county's public health administrator. "There have been positive mosquitoes, birds, horses and potentially people in Benton and Umatilla counties. It was only a matter of time before we found the virus here."
West Nile is primarily a bird disease, most often seen in crows and raptors. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on birds and then pass the virus to horses or humans in their bites.
Most people who become infected show no symptoms but some people can become seriously ill.
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Franklin County finds first West Nile mosquito
Franklin County finds first West Nile mosquito
Health officials Friday reported finding Franklin County's first West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes of the season in Pasco's Chiawana Park.
The mosquito sample was collected by the Franklin County Mosquito Control District.
Mosquitoes carrying the virus also have been found in Yakima County and Grant County this year, but no people have been reported to be infected with the disease, and reports of infected birds have been low, officials said.
West Nile virus found in Mabton mosquitoes
West Nile virus found in Mabton mosquitoes
The Washington State Health Department has its first confirmation this year that West Nile is present in the state and it's in the Mid-Columbia.
The first sample of mosquitoes to test positive for West Nile virus this year in the state was collected Tuesday near Mabton. Monitoring and testing dead birds and mosquitoes has been done since June.
In 2009, 38 people in Washington became sick from West Nile virus infections. Last year, the state had two human cases in the state.
Positive sample of West Nile found in Grant County
Positive sample of West Nile found in Grant County
West Nile virus has been detected in Grant County -- the first positive sample in the county this year and the second in the state, health officials said.
The mosquito sample was collected by the Grant County Mosquito Control District No. 1 on Aug. 29 in an area described as the "western sand dunes" southwest of Moses Lake, officials said.
No humans or animals have tested positive for West Nile virus this year, the state Department of Health said.
Northwest birders ready for annual count
Northwest birders ready for annual count
Inland Northwest birders are among thousands in about 2,000 localities across North America and beyond who will be flocking together in the next few weeks for the 112th annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count.
New birders are invited to join avid birdwatchers on more than a dozen counts that are being organized within 100 miles of Spokane.
Each volunteer group will count for one day until Jan. 5 in a designated circle 15 miles in diameter. The count started Wednesday.
Southwestern fungus confirmed in 3 people in Mid-Columbia
Southwestern fungus confirmed in 3 people in Mid-Columbia
Three illnesses related to a southwestern fungus have local health officials concerned that the fungus could be among us.
Dr. Larry Jecha, health officer for the Benton Franklin Health District, has declared coccidioidomycosis a reportable disease in the two counties to track whether the fungus causing the disease is in the Tri-Cities.
Coccidioidomycosis, also known as Valley Fever, is a fungal disease caused by Cocciodioides fungi. The fungi live in semi-arid areas and normally are found in the southwestern United States and Mexico, but so far haven't been known to be in Washington.
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