Washington has first reported case of West Nile this year

The National Institutes of Health announced a clinical trial to test the safety of a West Nile vaccine in humans after it successfully protected mice from lethal doses of the virus in lab tests. The sample, a Culex pipiens-restuans, was collected on June 23, 2015 in Selden, NY.

Evanston’s first instance of mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus was confirmed Thursday by the city’s Health and Human Services Department.

West Nile Virus is typically a seasonal epidemic in the United States that beings in late spring or early summer and continues into the fall.

“This kind of mosquito and West Nile virus activity is not unusual for this time of year”. Remove debris and dump any container that holds water.

· Clean vegetation and debris from the edges of ponds and keep shrubs and grass trimmed. Clean swimming pools that are not being used and chlorinate them.

Common symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea and rash.

The symptoms typically last a few days.

But of that one percent, people 50 years and older face the most risk from West Nile virus.

“If it’s dusk, that’s when they’re going to be the most active when the sun starts to go down”, Grau said. Read the label and carefully follow instructions.

Additionally, doors and windows should have tightly fitting screens, leaky pipes and outside faucets should be repaired as soon as possible, and the water in animal watering pans, flower vases, birdbaths, and planters should be changed at least once a week. “The recent rain we’ve had also provides optimal breeding conditions for mosquitoes that can carry the virus”. To report dead birds, call the West Nile virus hotline in Suffolk County at 631-787-2200 from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The birds must not show any signs of decay or trauma.

The abatement district began spraying the grounds at Merced College last week with mosquito control treatment.

It’s important that everyone know what West Nile virus is – and how to avoid it.