West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause encephalitis (an inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) in humans and other animals.

The risk of contracting the virus from a single mosquito bite is extremely low. In areas where mosquitoes carry the virus, less than 1% of them actually do. Only certain species of mosquitoes carry the virus and very few mosquitoes are actually infected. Less than 1% of people bitten by infected mosquitoes become severely ill.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and the Washington State Department of Health are coordinating surveillance activities designed to provide early detection of West Nile virus.

Preventing mosquito bites and reducing mosquito-breeding habitat around your home are the most important ways to protect your family. You should empty containers that hold standing water, such as old tires, buckets, and planters. Also, change the water in your birdbaths, fountains, wading pools and animal troughs weekly, and clean out your rain gutters so that they drain properly.

Do not fill or alter bodies of water that might be regulated by local, state or federal governments before checking with them. Pierce County environmental biologists can answer your questions about wetlands and West Nile virus. Please call (253) 798-7037 to speak with one of the biologists.

Please visit any of the following web sites for additional information:

Tacoma Pierce County Health Department

Washington State Department of Health

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

United States Environmental Protection Agency

American Mosquito Control Association