Rise in West Nile cases prompt C.O. warnings

The latest numbers on West Nile virus have been released and indicate this could be the worst year since it was first found in the U.S. In 1999.

Central Oregon health officials said Wednesday despite no local cases in humans, everyone — especially horse owners — need to prepare.

States from California to the Carolinas have reported cases, with Texas hit the hardest.

“God bless the families,” said Mayor Mike Rawlings of Dallas, Texas. “A family that just lost a loved one today — and to all those people that are coming down with West Nile Virus, our hearts go out to them.”

On Tuesday, Dallas city officials confirmed an 11th death related to the disease.

Now health officials in Central Oregon are asking you to be prepared.

“It’s not just where you live but where ever you go,” Karen Yeargain of the Crook County Health Department said Wednesday. “You are not immune when you leave your area.”

So far this year, only three counties in Oregon have had mosquitoes test positive for the virus. One case was reported in Jackson County, while 32 have been reported in Malheur, and most recently two samples tested positive in Morrow County.

“We need to be aware that mosquitoes are no longer just a nuisance — they are method of transmitting disease,” said Yeargain.

Officials with the Four Rivers Vector Control District, which does aerial spraying of biological insecticide, said from mid-July through the first week in August, they saw a near-record number of mosquitoes.

Chad Stubblefield, the director of the district, says they saw anywhere from 5,000 to 6,000 of the insects a night in traps they set out.

Stubblefield attributed the spike in mosquitoes to higher water levels causing more eggs to hatch. He said there has been a decline of late, and this week they are only seeing 20 to 30 mosquitoes per trap.

With more and more Central Oregon horse owners on the move this summer, health officials urge you to get your animal vaccinated before leaving. If a horse becomes infected, they can become very ill and even die.

“I’ve had people say, ‘Well, you know, we don’t really have it here right now.’ And it’s like, ‘Where do you go with your horse?'” said Yeargain. “Do you go to other areas and pack in, do you go to horse shows and what’s happening there? It becomes and eye-opener.”

With the numbers of cases on the rise across the country, health officials are asking you to remember the Four D’s of West Nile prevention

* Use an insect repellent containing Deet.

* Dress in long sleeves and long pants

* Avoid going outside at dusk and dawn

* Drain standing water on your property