West Nile Found In Bird In Kittitas County

Two horses and one person has been diagnosed with West Nile Virus in Yakima County. In nearby Benton County 14 cases have been reported and one person has died. Officials say they know the virus can be found in mosquitoes located throughout Central Washington. And now the first confirmed case of West Nile virus in a bird has been found in a black billed magpie off of Airport Road in Ellensburg, Washington.

In addition to the positive bird, Kittitas County has a total of five horses with confirmed West Nile virus in 2015. There is another horse case pending confirmation.

One person in Kittitas County tested positive for the virus, but there were no symptoms and the virus was discovered through a blood donation event.

Kittitas County also has another possible human case, but testing is still pending.

West Nile virus is transmitted through infected mosquitoes.

Most people who become infected will have no symptoms. About one in five will develop fever and other symptoms including headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. A few people (less than 1%) will develop a disease such as encephalitis, meningitis, or acute flaccid paralysis.