West Nile virus established itself in Washington last year, and the search for signs of where the disease may be has resumed across the state for 2007. Mosquitoes and dead birds are being tested for the virus in an effort to provide an early warning to communities.

In 2006, the first three human West Nile virus infections acquired in Washington were reported. If Washington follows the trend seen in other states, there could be more human infections this season. Idaho had more than 1,000 human West Nile virus infections resulting in 23 deaths last year – after reporting only three human infections in 2004. Oregon had 73 human West Nile virus infections last year with one death...

.....more on WNV from Washington State Department of Health

BBQs, gardening, swimming pools and hikes…and mosquitoes.
Enjoy the outdoors, but remember to protect yourself from mosquitoes and use insect repellent. West Nile virus transmission is underway in many parts of the US.

This virus can cause serious, life-altering and even fatal disease, so it's worth it to take a couple minutes to prevent mosquito bites

Centers for Disease Control helps you Fight the Bite....

The adult stages of many mosquito species are feeders of blood, which has given some disease-causing organisms a reliable mode of transmission to animal hosts. The feeding times and behaviors can differ between mosquito species; some species will feed in daylight while some feed at dusk and dawn. The egg, larval, and pupal stages of mosquitoes are generally associated with bodies of water. Some mosquito species are specific to tidal flood lands while others are specific to shallow, warm, stagnant water. Mosquitoes are always located near water since water is essential for growth of the immature stages, thus the presence of water is crucial in focusing control programs.

.....more on Mosquitoes from Art Antonelli (pdf, 261KB)

Repellents, especially those containing diethyltoluamide (commonly known as DEET), prevent mosquito bites for at least several hours up to a full day. DEET can be applied to both skin and clothing. For most conditions, products with 10-40% DEET are sufficient for repelling mosquitoes on adults. Products containing 23% DEET offer over five hours of protection on average.

.....more Guidelines for preventing mosquito bites from Todd Murray

What's going on with the West Nile Virus? Information, educational materials, & scientific resources about the disease, its prevention and control.

.....more than you will ever want to know about WNV from Cornell University

What animals are susceptible to West Nile virus? West Nile virus affects horses, mules, donkeys, and other equines much more often than other animals. Other livestock and poultry do not commonly show any illness if infected with West Nile virus.

.....more on horses from Washington State Department of Agriculture

Protecting Your Horses: Clinical Signs of WNV
• Ataxia or stumbling and incoordination
• Depression or apprehension
• Weakness of limbs, partial paralysis, or inability to stand
• Muscle twitching or
• Death

Horses may become infected without showing any clinical signs....

....More on protecting horses from WNV from USDA APHIS

USGS is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to learn the current geographic extent of WNV, to understand how it moves between birds, mosquitoes, and humans, and to predict future movements of the virus...

....More on WNV and wildlife from National Wildlife Health Center