Probable case of West Nile Virus

MOSES LAKE - The Grant County Health District has been notified of a "probable" human case of West Nile Virus in Grant County, interim administrator Theresa Adkinson has reported.

A "probable" human case means that a person has WNV symptoms and laboratory testing to support the idea that the person was exposed to the virus. This is the first human case of West Nile Virus in 2015 and the first case that is a Grant County resident since 2010, Adkinson said.

Additionally, a magpie (bird) collected by GCHD from an area Northeast of Moses Lake tested positive for WNV.

So far in 2015, the number of positive mosquito samples in Grant County has more than doubled the total identified in 2014 (72 thus far in 2015 and 34 total in 2014). The mosquito samples were collected by Grant County Mosquito Control District No. 1.

According to the Health District, there are likely more people with the illness that do not seek care. The increase in mosquitoes and early WNV season is thought to be due to the early and extremely warm weather that much of the Washington has experienced.