West Nile Virus

Welcome to the Kittitas County Health Department's West Nile Virus web site. This site keeps you up to date on West Nile activity in Kittitas County. It also tells you how to protect yourself from West Nile Virus, how to report a dead bird, and answers other common questions about West Nile Virus.

What is West Nile virus?

West Nile virus can be a serious, even fatal, illness. It can affect people, horses, certain types of birds, and other animals. In 1999, West Nile virus first appeared in the United States in New York City. Since that time, it has spread rapidly throughout the country. In Washington, the first cases of people becoming ill from West Nile virus were reported in 2006.

How is it spread?

West Nile virus is almost always spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected after feeding on birds that carry the virus. There is no evidence that West Nile virus can be spread by direct contact with infected people or animals.

Who is at risk?

The risk of getting West Nile virus is very low, but anyone can become infected. People over 50 years of age have the highest risk of serious illness.

What are the symptoms?

Most people who are infected with West Nile virus will not get sick. About 1 in 5 people infected will have mild symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches. Even fewer, about 1 in 150 people infected, will have more severe symptoms. Severe symptoms may include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis, and coma. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your health care provider.

Additional Information

• West Nile Virus: What you need to know
• West Nile: Questions and Answers
• Larvicide Questions and Answers 77k
• Report a dead bird online

West Nile Testing

Only certain birds are submitted for West Nile testing
Raven	Magpie	Jay	Crow
Photo by Kelly McAllister Image courtesy of WDFW

If you find a dead bird

• If you find a dead crow, raven, magpie, jay or hawk and the bird is fresh and undamaged, please report it for WNV tracking purposes and possible West Nile virus testing. Report birds found in Kittitas County by calling the health department at (509) 962-7515 or use the Online Bird Reporting Form .
• Dead chickens and other domestic poultry should be reported to the Washington State Department of Agriculture (1-800-606-3056).
• Single waterfowl or shorebirds, and wild bird die-offs should be reported to the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (1-800-606-8768).
• Do not handle dead birds with your bare hands. Instead, use gloves, a shovel, or a plastic bag placed over your hand to pick up the bird. Double-wrap the bird in two plastic bags before placing in your garbage. Be sure to wash your hands, even if you were careful to not touch the bird.

Reminders for submitting dead birds

• The cause of death must be from natural causes. There can be no obvious signs of death (hit by a car, killed by a cat, bullet hole, etc.).
• The bird must be freshly dead--less than 24 hours-- intact (not scavenged), and free of excessive heat damage to be tested. If the carcass has an odor, is soft and mushy, has skin discoloration, feathers or skin that easily rubs off, sunken eyes, or has maggots present, it is too decomposed for testing.
• Since the cause of death is unknown, it is always best to avoid direct contact with the bird.
• The Kittitas County Public Health Department is not available on the weekends to collect dead birds. If you find a dead bird on the weekend, please make note of the approximate time of death and location of the bird and call the information in on Monday morning, report it with the Online Bird Reporting Form .

Surveillance

The current number of West Nile virus cases in Kittitas County is available from the Washington State Department of Health Zoonotic Program

You can also find the latest news about vector borne diseases in the most recent Washington State Department of Health newsletter.

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