Tri-Citian is one of 1st in WA state sick with West Nile virus

A Benton County man and a man in Yakima County have been infected with the mosquito-borne West Nile virus, making them the first cases in Washington state this year.

The Tri-Cities area man, who is in his 60s, was not hospitalized. The Yakima area man, who was in his 50s, needed treatment in a hospital.

West Nile has been found in mosquitoes this summer in just three counties in the state — Benton, Franklin and Yakima counties. The virus is most prevalent in the eastern part of Washington state.

Last year four people were sickened with the West Nile virus in Benton County and one horse but no people were infected in Franklin County.

The disease is spread to people by the bite of a mosquito that has been infected after feeding on birds that carry the virus.

West Nile virus can be a serious, even fatal, illness. But the majority of people infected with the virus do not get sick.

About one in five people bitten by an infected mosquito will develop a fever or other symptoms that go away without medical treatment.

Even fewer, about one in 150 people infected, will have more severe symptoms.

Severe symptoms may include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis and coma. People with those symptoms should contact their doctor, according to the Washington state Department of Health.

Preventing West Nile

The best way to avoid the illness is to take steps to avoid being bitten by a mosquito during West Nile season. Infected mosquitoes may may be biting from July and through early October.

“Spending time outdoors can help with social distancing to prevent COVID-19, but it can also put you at risk for mosquito-borne disease,” said epidemiologist Hanna Oltean.

While outdoors use EPA-registered insect repellent and wear long sleeves, long pants and socks,, recommends the Department of Health.

Mosquitoes are most likely to be present during evening and early morning hours.

To prevent mosquitoes from breeding, empty any outside containers that could hold water. Flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires and birdbaths can all become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.