Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department confirmed today that West Nile virus has been found in the county, the first such detection in the county.

The virus was detected in a dead crow found Sept. 20 in a driveway at East 98th Street and Portland Avenue, according to Health Department spokeswoman Joby Winans. The resident there called the county’s dead bird line to report it.

While West Nile virus won’t sicken most people who are infected, it can produce flu-like symptoms ranging from mild to severe.

Nedda Turner, an environmental health liaison with the department, said she went out the next day and pick it up. A swab of the bird’s mouth was sent to the state laboratory and the positive result was returned today.

Since one bird was found with the virus, there certainly can be more, she said. “How many I don’t know,” Turner added.

She explained that Northwest birds often fly south for the winter to Mexico and mix with birds that have the virus. She said they can return infected in the spring. By late summer, the virus overtakes the bird and kills it which is probably why so many of the infected birds are found after the summer.

She said the county sent in 18 birds this year to be tested.

Although Pierce County has not experienced any human cases of West Nile virus, there have been 27 confirmed human cases in Washington State. None of these cases resulted in death.

Turner said the Centers of Disease Control has confirmed 436 human cases of West Nile virus this year, incuding seven in Oregon. Sixteen people have died this year, according to the CDC.

Typically, the virus is spread to people by mosquitoes who feed on an infected bird, Joby Winans, a Health Department spokeswoman, said. In addition to people, infected birds, horses and mosquito pools have been found in Washington State this year, she said.

Winans said at this time of year mosquitoes are most active at sunset after a warm afternoon.

Statewide, the virus has been confirmed in 67 horses, 21 birds, and 341 mosquito samples.

Although summer is over, West Nile virus season won’t end until colder weather arrives and stops mosquito activity for the year.

West Nile virus symptoms may include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis, and coma. In rare cases, it can be fatal. People with symptoms should contact a health care provider.

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department encourages people to take precautions to protect themselves from West Nile virus by avoiding mosquito bites:

• Make sure windows and screens are tight.
• Avoid outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Use mosquito repellents toward off the insects.
• Get rid of old tires and other containers where water can accumulate and serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when in mosquito infested areas
To report a dead bird, call 253-798-6578.

You can find detailed information on West Nile virus at the Health Department’s website: http://www.tpchd.org/page.php?id=133.