KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - With mosquito season just around the corner, it's time to starting thinking about West Nile virus. In late 2006, West Nile virus killed birds and a horse in King County and made three people ill elsewhere in Washington. In 2007, there is a possibility that the virus may cause many more illnesses in our area.
“West Nile virus tends to cause the greatest number of illnesses in the first few years it is in an area before leveling off,” said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Now is the time to eliminate mosquito habitat from your property and take all appropriate precautions to avoid being bitten by a mosquito.”
In 2006, six of the 13 birds tested positive for West Nile in the entire state of Washington were from King County. Eighty-eight birds were tested in King County in the 2006 mosquito season. The infected animals indicate that the West Nile virus is circulating in mosquitoes and birds in King County, and could infect people this summer and fall.
Thousands of people in the United States each year are infected with West Nile virus, which is caused by the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus causes no symptoms in most instances. In about 20% of infections the person experiences mild-to-severe flu-like symptoms. In a small number of cases, West Nile virus can cause neuroinvasive disease, other serious illnesses, and death. People over 50 and particularly older adults over 70 are at higher risk for severe illness and death. There is no vaccine for people.
Protect yourself from mosquitoes by eliminating their breeding habitat:
The mosquito that is most likely to infect King County residents with West Nile virus is Culex pipiens, or the northern house mosquito. Culex pipiens prefers to lay eggs in small amounts of standing water commonly found around houses in buckets, wheelbarrows, clogged drains and discarded tires. Removing this habitat will reduce the number of mosquitoes near people’s homes.
Tips for reducing habitat and preparing the home:
- Tip out barrels, buckets and wheelbarrows
- Tip out containers such as toys, cans or plant saucers
- Empty children’s wading pools when not in use
- Change water in birdbaths and animal troughs at least once a week
- Get rid of used tires
- Clean garden ponds
- Recycle old bottles, buckets and cans
- Clean leaf-clogged gutters
- Empty water from flower pot dishes
- Dump water off of tarps and plastic sheeting
- Repair leaky outdoor faucets
- Cover rain barrels with mosquito screens
- Repair ripped windows and door screens and make sure they fit tight
- Consider adding a screen door to doors that often are left open
- Help elderly neighbors with these actions
Tips to avoid getting bitten when mosquitoes are out – often at dawn and dusk:
- Wear long sleeve shirts and long pants.
- Consider using an insect repellent. The CDC recommends repellents containing the chemical N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET), which are known to be very effective and safe for use with children and adults. It is important to read the label and follow the instructions on the label carefully.
- Long lasting and effective alternatives to products containing DEET are available. Insect repellents containing picaridin may be a good choice for some individuals.
Dead birds:
The public is requested to report dead birds to Public Health so that the location of dead birds can be recorded. A small number will be tested for West Nile. A spike in bird deaths may indicate the areas of the county where the virus is most active. Call 206-205-4394 to report a dead bird or report online at www.metrokc.gov/health/westnile/deadbird.htm
West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne virus that is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. A mosquito becomes infected by biting an infected bird that carries the virus. West Nile virus is not spread by person-to-person contact, nor is it transmitted directly from birds or other animals to people. Mosquito season, when West Nile virus is of most concern, runs from spring through late fall.
More information:
Providing effective and innovative health and disease prevention services for over 1.8 million residents and visitors of King County, Public Health – Seattle & King County works for safer and healthier communities for everyone, every day.
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