Three people test positive for West Nile locally
By Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
Friday, August 15, 2008 10:37 AM PDT
ONTARIO — The West Nile virus season has apparently started off with a bang, as three Malheur County residents have been confirmed with the disease spread by mosquitoes.
Lori Heiple, R.N., with the Malheur County Health Department, said Thursday two cases were confirmed on Aug. 8 and Aug. 11 by the Idaho Health Department lab and a third case was confirmed Thursday by the Oregon Health Division lab.
All three people became ill around the end of July, Heiple said, but they live in three different places.
“They are pretty much spread out. Everyone is recovering as we would expect. No one is seriously ill,” Heiple said.
The three county residents were referred for testing by their doctors, she said. Heiple recommends anyone feeling ill should consult their physicians.
Last year, Malheur County recorded 12 West Nile virus cases.
Most West Nile infections are mild, with fever and flu-like symptoms but severe infections may cause inflammation of the brain and, rarely, death, state health officials said.
According to the Oregon Health Division, birds are a natural host for West Nile and are the source of the virus that mosquitoes spread. Large die-offs of crows, jays, magpies, ravens and sage grouse are often a sign that the virus is present.
The local, voter-approved county vector control district is not yet fully operational and does not have the resources to trap mosquitoes, as some areas do. The district board does plan to begin some mosquito abatement as funds become available.
