Mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus have been identified in Oregon for the first time this year, according to the Oregon Health Authority.
Three pools — groups of up to 50 mosquitoes — tested positive for the virus in eastern Oregon’s Malheur County.
No cases of people contracting the virus in Oregon have been reported so far to federal health officials, data shows.
One in five people infected with West Nile virus develop symptoms, the health authority’s update said, including fever, headaches, mental confusion, muscle weakness, stiff neck, paralysis, shaking or rash. Infection leads to serious illness or death for around one in 150 infected people, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Oregon Health Authority recommended seeking immediate medical attention upon developing symptoms.
The best way to avoid sickness is to prevent mosquito bites. That means covering up with long-sleeved shirts and pants, using insect repellent — products containing DEET, lemon eucalyptus oil or Picaridin — on exposed skin, installing window and door screens and placing mosquito netting over infant carriers, the update said.
The health authority also recommended considering staying indoors at dawn and dusk during “peak mosquito biting times.”
“Mosquitoes thrive and breed vigorously in warm summer temperatures, especially in the 80-90 degree range,” the notice said. “So it’s important to protect yourself.”
Adults older than 55 and immunocompromised people are at higher risk for severe West Nile illness, according to the health authority. So are people with certain conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure or kidney disease.
Oregon mosquitoes carry West Nile virus every year, data shows. Last year, a total of 21 mosquito pools tested positive in five Oregon counties, mostly in eastern and southern Oregon.
It’s rare for humans to contract the virus and even more rare to fall seriously ill: There were 205 cases and four deaths among Oregon residents from 2004 through 2022, according to the health authority’s most recent annual summary report from 2022.
Last year, Oregon was one of just two states, along with Alaska, to report zero human cases, according to CDC historic data.
In 2023, 17 people contracted West Nile virus in Oregon, according to state health authority data. Three of the people contracted the virus out of state. Six of the cases occurred in Malheur County. It is unclear how severe those cases were; the most recent West Nile virus death documented in Oregon was in 2022, and an Oregon Health Authority spokesperson said there have been no more deaths since then.
So far this year across the U.S., 24 people have contracted the virus, according to CDC data. Oregon is not among the 14 states with cases so far.
Last year nationwide, nearly 1,800 people contracted the virus and 164 people died, according to the CDC.
— Maddie Khaw covers breaking news, public safety and more for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach her at mkhaw@oregonian.com.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Source link
