(From the Washington State Department of Health)
West Nile Virus
What was expected has arrived...
West Nile virus West Nile virus, which has been steadily spreading across the United States, has reached Washington. A raven from Pend Oreille County and a crow from Snohomish County collected as part of a statewide dead bird surveillance effort tested positive for the virus. The disease has also been confirmed in two horses, one from Island County and the other from Whatcom County. These are the first detections of West Nile virus in our state. Currently, we have received no reports of human cases. Transmitted by mosquito bites to humans, the virus has proven itself a public health threat. As of March 12, 4,161 cases of the illness have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the past season, including 277 fatalities. The Washington State Department of Health coordinates surveillance throughout the state for the virus and mosquitoes that potentially carry the virus. However, all of Washington residents can help prevent outbreaks. Below are tools, resources, and information for the general public, health care providers, veterinarians, local health departments, and mosquito control districts.
Don't Give Mosquitoes A Chance!Mosquitoes need water to breed and grow. It doesn't take much water and it doesn't take much time. So, almost anything that will hold water for one week or more can produce these pests. Many places around your home may be causing mosquito problems.
Get rid of places where water collects and mosquitoes won't have a chance!·Change water in birdbaths weekly. ·
Repair leaky faucets and sprinklers. ·
Empty water from flowerpots dishes.
Clean leaf clogged gutters.·
Keep water fresh.
Drain standing water from around stock troughs. ·
Recycle old bottles, buckets, and cans. ·
Clean garden ponds and stock with fish ·
Get rid of used tires properly
Office of Environmental Health and SafetyWashington State Department of HealthPO Box 478257171 Cleanwater LaneOlympia, WA 98504-7825(360) 236-33801-888-586-9427
