West Nile virus found in Adams County

ADAMS COUNTY— A horse in Adams County tested positive for West Nile virus Friday.

The horse was taken to Broadway Animal Hospital in Othello. A sample from the horse was sent to a laboratory at Washington State University for confirmation.

Test results were reported to Adams County Health Department and Washington State Department of Agriculture the same afternoon.

“The horse belongs to a local gentleman and the horse was not vaccinated for the virus,” said Brent Stenson, Director of Environmental Health at the health department. “We know he has other horses but are unsure of their vaccination status.”

Three positive West Nile virus mosquito samples were collected in samples July 20 by the Adams County Mosquito Control District. They received confirmation eight days later. They reported the results to the health department last week, said Stenson.

The mosquito samples were collected south of state Route 26, near the Grant County-Adams County line. This is the first time West Nile virus was detected in Adams County, according to a report from Adams County Health Department.

“The mosquito control district is stepping up surveillance in that part of the county,” Stenson said.

The health department passed informational flyers out to local businesses Friday, said Stenson.

The West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne illness primarily affecting birds. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds.

“Mammals and humans are not typically part of the life-cycle of this bird and mosquito interaction because humans and animals are dead-end hosts,” Stenson said.

Mammals and humans can’t pass it to each other. It is passed to humans and mammals through the bite of an infected mosquito only, but birds pass it to each other, explained Stenson.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture confirmed cases of West Nile virus in horses in Yakima, Benton, Grant and Kittitas counties, according to a department of agriculture.

The virus is fatal in about one-third of all horses showing clinical signs. Symptoms include loss of coordination, loss of appetite, confusion, stiffness and others. Most do not show symptoms, according to the department of agriculture.

Treatment options are limited once a horse produces symptoms, according to the health department.

The Department of Agriculture stated horse owners should reduce mosquito populations by removing standing water from barns and yards and changing water in troughs or bird baths.

“We urge people to get their horses vaccinated,” Stenson said. “Horses typically need one every year.”

Equine West Nile Virus Vaccine is typically used. The vaccine requires either two shots over time or one shot, depending on age and state of the horse, explained Stenson.

Symptoms for humans include fever, headache, nausea, swollen lymph glands or a skin rash. About 80 percent of people exposed do not develop symptoms, said Stenson.

“There is no vaccine for humans yet, but they are working on one,” Stenson said.

Precautions are to dress with long sleeves, pants and a hat during the night when mosquitoes are most present. Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens and are closed, according to the health department.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web site advises wearing insect repellent and regularly changing sources containing water, such as buckets and bird baths.

For more information, call Adams County Health Department at 509-488-2031 or visit www.cdc.gov.