Woman In 70s Dead Of West Nile Virus In Benton County

A woman in nearby Benton County has died of the West Nile Virus. It's the first death reported in Washington State so far this year. The State Department of Health has confirmed the woman in her 70's died of the virus and officials also say a man in his 80's has been hospitalized. Both are believed to have been infected by mosquitoes in Benton County. The virus has been found throughout Eastern and Central Washington this year just like last year. It's been found in a local horse, a bird in Spokane County, and mosquito specimens from Adams, Franklin, Grant and Stevens counties. Health officials say with summer coming to an end and the upcoming Labor Day weekend more people are outside that need to protect themselves from mosquito bites especially in areas where the virus has been confirmed like Yakima County.