Health district issues alert. West Nile virus detected in Tri-Cities

West Nile virus has been detected in the Tri-Cities area for the first time this year, the Benton Franklin Health District announced Thursday.

The virus was found in three pools of mosquitoes trapped along the Columbia River in Kennewick.

While no animals or humans are known to be infected so far this year, the health district urges people to take precautions.

The risk of West Nile virus infection, for both people and animals such as horses, will remain high in the Tri-Cities area until the first hard frost of the fall ends the mosquito season, according to health district officials.

The virus is spread to humans and animals by mosquito bites.

A Benton County woman in her 70s died from the virus in 2016, and a Benton County man in his 80s died from the virus the year before.

In addition, several residents of the Tri-Cities area have been ill enough with the virus to require hospitalization over the last decade.

Several horses in the Tri-Cities that were not vaccinated or not fully vaccinated against the virus also have been sickened with the virus over the last decade and some have died or had to be euthanized.

Most people infected with West Nile virus will not feel sick, according to the health district. But about one in five people who are infected will develop a fever and other symptoms, such as headaches or body aches.

Serious complications develop in about one in 150 cases, including potentially fatal encephalitis or meningitis.

People with compromised immune systems or medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension or kidney disease are at increased risk for serious illness.

Unlike horses, people cannot be vaccinated against the West Nile virus.

But they can take precautions to prevent infections:

• Drain sources of standing water to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in water sources. Check containers such as old tires and buckets that may be left outside.
• Avoid being exposed to mosquitoes at dusk and dawn — both prime times for mosquito bites.
• If going outside, use an EPA-approved insect repellent.
• Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens.
• Dress with long sleeves, pants and a hat when mosquitoes are present.

The Benton Mosquito Control District does both spraying by truck and plane for adult mosquitoes. It posts the schedule and planned areas for spraying at mosquitocontrol.org/adult-mosquito-spray-calendar.