RSSTests show Yakima County woman likely has West Nile virus
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A Yakima County woman in her 50s is one of two residents in the state considered highly likely to be infected with the West Nile virus, which brings the total number of apparent human infections this year to three, state health officials said Thursday.
The other person listed as "probable" for the infection is a King County man in his 30s.
Benton-Franklin Health District officials believe the woman, a resident of the Lower Valley, and the man were exposed in mid-August after visiting the areas of Prosser and Grandview.
Initial testing was performed at the state's Public Health Laboratories in Shoreline. Samples have been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Washington, D.C., for confirmation. Results should be available within two weeks.
Health officials said they don't want to "overly alarm" the public but they stress the need for people to be vigilant as the virus is a threat to public health.
"While this would represent the first confirmation of a locally acquired human case," said Dr. Christopher Spitters, health officer for Yakima County, "the presence of West Nile virus in horses, birds and mosquitoes in the area suggests that many more asymptomatic human infections or undiagnosed cases have probably occurred as well."
One in five infected people develop the symptoms of West Nile virus. Onset occurs from three to 14 days after the bite. Usually, the illness runs its course without medical intervention, but serious forms can cause neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions and paralysis, even death.
The Lower Valley woman reported a history of mosquito bites along with fever, headache, sore throat, rash and muscle aches. She is recovering, according to the Yakima Health District.
The King County man developed meningitis, the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. No information on his health condition was available from state health officials.
"West Nile virus can be a very serious disease for a small number of people, especially those older than 50," Dr. Marcia Goldoft, acting state epidemiologist for communicable disease, said in a news release.
West Nile virus is passed by mosquitoes from birds to horses and humans. While there is no cure or vaccination for people, horses can be immunized.
Six dead birds in the areas of Grandview and Prosser tested positive for West Nile virus this year.
So far statewide, 25 horses, six birds and 41 mosquito samples tested positive for the virus.
Health officials remind people to wear mosquito repellant, eliminate standing water where the bugs breed and stay indoors at dusk.
For more information, visit www.doh.wa.gov/WNV
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