Three West Nile Virus Cases Suspected in Waitsburg

WAITSBURG - West Nile Virus is not as deadly or exotic as it sounds, but with three suspected cases recently diagnosed at the Waitsburg Clinic it's a good idea to know what to look for and how to treat and prevent infections. Mosquitoes that have become infected by feeding on diseased birds spread the disease, which is most prevalent May through October.

The Washington State Department of Health is currently reporting no confirmed West Nile Virus infections in 2014 but mosquito samples recently collected in Franklin County did test positive for the disease. Last year, mosquito samples tested positive for the virus in Benton, Franklin, Grant, Skagit, Yakima and Spokane counties. There was one confirmed case of the disease in 2013.

According to Waitsburg Clinic ARNP Kortney Killgore- Smith the clinic has seen three suspected cases in the last month. Because testing for the virus is relatively expensive and there is no vaccine for the disease, patients are often diagnosed clinically and not sent for additional testing, leaving the cases as suspected rather than confirmed. Killgore-Smith said that a fourth case was sent for testing but came back negative.

West Nile virus infections present themselves with flulike symptoms. Killgore-Smith said that when a patient appears to have the flu when there has been no flu in the area and they have recently been in the woods or are aware of recent mosquito bites, it is likely they have a West Nile infection.

Many of those bitten by an infected mosquito do not become ill at all. Others have mild symptoms that pass quickly and some will have symptoms that linger for months. In rare cases, the virus can affect patients neurologically as meningitis or encephalitis, the effects of which can be permanent. Individuals with compromised immune systems and those over 50 are at highest risk for complications.

Killgore-Smith said typical symptoms include fatigue, fever, malaise, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat and decreased appetite. "Most cases are mild and selflimited," she said.

Cindy Standring's 8-yearold granddaughter, Bailey, was one of the suspected Waitsburg cases. Standring said that, a couple of days after getting several mosquito bites at their home on Whiskey Creek, Bailey complained of a bad headache. The headache continued the next day and then turned into a fever that lasted for five days. "She had no appetite and felt ill if she did try and eat." Standring took her to the clinic after the third day, but by then Bailey was on the upswing. "She's totally fine now," said Standring.

" People should seek medical attention if symptoms last over a week," said Killgore-Smith. "They should seek immediate medical care if they are experiencing any neurological symptoms: the worst headache of their life, a change in mental state, sensitivity to light, or they are not moving or acting appropriately. Unless the virus reaches a neurological status the treatment is simply supportive care. Treat the symptoms. Drink lots of fluids, rest, take Tylenol."

When it comes to West Nile, prevention really is the best medicine. Killgore- Smith suggests trying to avoid bites by using citronella candles, a DEET containing mosquito repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants when in areas where mosquitoes are prevalent.

According to the Washington Department of Health, mosquitoes need only a small amount of water for breeding. They suggest removing stagnant water from flowerpots, old tires, buckets, plastic toys and gutters, which can become breeding grounds for mosquito larvae. They also suggest changing the water in birdbaths, fountains, wading pools and animal troughs weekly and fixing leaky outdoor faucets and sprinklers.

Crows, jays, ravens, magpies, hawks and owls tend to die after becoming infected. An increase in dead birds may indicate the presence of West Nile virus and the Department of Health encourages reporting them via their online dead bird reporting form. More information on the West Nile virus as well as a link to the dead bird reporting form is online at http://www.doh.wa.gov/ YouandYourFamily/IllnessandDisease/ WestNileVirus. aspx.