West Nile Virus Found In Pierce County Mosquitoes

TACOMA, WA - Mosquitoes living in a marsh in Pierce County have tested positive for West Nile virus, which is the first time the virus has been detected in mosquitoes west of the Cascades, according to health officials. The sample was taken from the Gog-le-hi-te Wetlands near the Puyallup River.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is warning local residents to assume West Nile infection is now possible in Pierce County. The state Department of Health confirmed West Nile last week after a random test.

About 80 percent of people infected with West Nile do not show symptoms. However, the virus can cause symptoms like fever, headache, extreme fatigue, and diarrhea. West Nile can also cause potentially deadly encephalitis or meningitis, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Like influenza, most people can recover from West Nile at home with over-the-counter medicine. There is no vaccine for West Nile. Common bug repellents can protect humans and pets from being bitten by an infected mosquito.

There have been about 133 cases of West Nile so far in 2018, according to the CDC. No cases have been found in Washington. All but 11 U.S. states have had human cases of West Nile this year.

West Nile is most common during summer mosquito season, which usually ends around mid-September in Western Washington.

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