West Nile Virus Detected in Benton County

Kennewick, WA--The Benton Franklin Health District reports that some mosquitoes recently collected from Kennewick and Richland have tested positive for West Nile virus. It’s not the first instance of west nile activity in the area, either; officials identified mosquitoes carrying the virus in both Franklin and Walla Walla Counties earlier this year.

Benton County Mosquito Control officials are unable to spray mosquitocide in the area until air quality improves. Officials have not discovered any human cases yet. Most people infected with West Nile virus will not get sick, however, West Nile virus infection can be very serious for some--resulting in encephalitis, meningitis, or other complications