7 locations in Grant County test positive for West Nile Virus

by Richard Byrd Staff Writer
| July 25, 2018 1:00 AM

MOSES LAKE — A total of seven mosquito pools have tested positive for West Nile virus, with the pools located mainly near the Potholes Reservoir and in southern Grant County.

Grant County Mosquito Control District No. 1 Manager Ann Belchik-Moser said a couple of the pools were located west of Moses Lake near Potholes and the rest were found in the Royal Slope area. When West Nile is located officials increase their spraying and continue to monitor the area and take additional samples.

“So we spray for mosquito larvae and adult mosquitoes and we try to target those areas and knock down any mosquito populations that are in those area,” Belchik-Moser explained.

Belchik-Moser said last year was down in terms of West Nile in Grant County. 2018 appears to be in tune with previous years however due to extreme heat and vast areas of standing water throughout the county.

The Grant County Health District says there are no vaccines or medications to prevent West Nile, which is typically passed to humans via mosquitoes. About 1 in 5 people who are infected will develop mild symptoms, like a fever, headache and body aches. About 1 in 150 infected people will develop a serious illness, such as high fever, stupor, disorientation, tremors/convulsions, weakness, paralysis and coma.

Health officials recommend staying indoors when mosquitoes are most active, at dawn and dusk, wear long sleeves and long plants while outside, use mosquito repellent and eliminate mosquito breeding areas. The Center for Disease Control recommends people use screens on windows/doors, use air conditioning when available and at least once a week empty, scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water.

Birds and horses are vulnerable to the virus as well, dead birds, crows, ravens, magpies, jays and raptors in particular being an indicator of West Nile. If you have West Nile symptoms contact your healthcare provider. People are encouraged to contact the Grant County Health District at 509-766-7960 if they see dead birds around the county.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.