| West
Nile virus detected in Washington
Wednesday, October
02, 2002
Source: The
Seattle Times/Health
OLYMPIA — The West Nile virus has been detected for the first time in
Washington state, in a dead raven found in Pend Oreille County, the
state Department of Health said today.
Tests at the National Wildlife Health Center Laboratory in Madison,
Wis., confirmed the discovery near Newport in northeastern Washington,
found during a state-run surveillance program.
No humans have contracted the mosquito-borne infection in Washington
state.
Two cases of the potentially fatal virus have been reported in
Washington, both acquired in other states. Neither patient developed a
serious illness.
"West Nile virus is moving west ... so we have been expecting it
to arrive in Washington," said Jack Lilja, the health
department’s West Nile surveillance program manager.
Nationally, 43 states have detected the virus this year, and 2,477
cases have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention —124 of them fatal, health officials said.
Only about 20 percent of those bitten by an infected mosquito show
symptoms of the disease, typically a mild fever. About 1 percent develop
brain swelling or meningitis, which can be fatal.
The virus is carried long distances by birds which are then bitten by
mosquitoes. At least six mosquito species in Washington state can carry
the virus, state officials said.
"The risk of West Nile illness is low," Lilja said,
"and taking precautions to protect against mosquito bites can help
reduce your risk."
|