Local News

July 12, 2007

Incidence of West Nile Virus in Washington could peak in 2008, Wahkiakum County health officials said Tuesday.
The disease, spread by mosquitos, attacks the nervous system. In serious cases, it becomes encephalitis or meningitis; in less serious cases, it is a fever that may be hard to diagnose.
David Riggs, environmental health specialist, said the disease generally shows up as 2-3 cases statewide the first year, 60-70 the second, and explodes the third year. After that, it declines as people learn to pay close attention to mosquito control efforts.
Washington was the last of the lower 48 states to record a case, Riggs said; the state had three cases in 2006.
The disease was first noticed on the east coast. It has spread west; Idaho had 996 cases last year; Oregon had 69.
Judy Bright, health department administrator, said the best way to control exposure is to empty or drain all areas with standing water. With Wahkiakum’s exposure to streams, rivers and sloughs, that is difficult, so people going outdoors should wear mosquito repellents using the chemical called DEET, she said.