First Human Case of West Nile Virus Found in Benton County
It's late in the year but the first human case of West Nile virus has been reported in nearby Benton County. Officials with the Benton-Franklin Health District say it's the first case of WNV in Washington this year. There's no information provided about the person or their condition. But health officials warn like they do every year to avoid
being bitten by mosquitoes as WNV is currently circulating in several counties in Washington.
They say the person infected was likely exposed to mosquito bites in Franklin or Walla Walla County. But health officials say in a news release that WNV has been detected this summer in mosquitoes from Benton, Grant, and Yakima counties. In past years, WNV has been detected across the state. In Washington, WNV season starts as early as July and can last until early October.The majority of people infected with West Nile virus do not get sick. About one in five will develop a fever or other symptoms that go away without medical treatment. For a small number of people, West Nile disease can lead to permanent neurologic effects or death. People over age 60 and those with certain medical conditions are most at risk of severe disease.
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