West Nile Virus Resources for the Pacific Northwest | Region 10 | US EPA

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West Nile Virus Resources for the Pacific Northwest

Regional Information
West Nile Virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, and can infect people, horses, many types of birds, and some other animals. Most people who have become infected with West Nile Virus will have either no symptoms or only mild ones. However, on rare occasions, West Nile Virus infection can result in severe and sometimes fatal illnesses.

To reduce the risk of contracting the virus, health officials recommend that people take certain precautions during the summer months. These include:
EPA is not directly involved with the reporting of dead birds or incidences of the West Nile Virus. You should contact your state or local health department with any reports or concerns regarding the virus. For your convenience, we have provided links to West Nile Virus pages that have been posted by states within Region 10.

When necessary, county and local health officials may use ground and aerial application of pesticides, along with non-chemical forms of control, to eliminate mosquitos. Any pesticide sold in the United States, including those used for mosquito control, must be registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA reviews health and environmental risk information before deciding whether to register a pesticide.

EPA reviews the label directions of each pesticide product to ensure that, when applied according to label directions, the risks of human exposure and adverse health and environmental effects are minimized. However, no pesticide is 100% safe. Care must be taken to apply pesticides strictly according to the label directions.

If you have questions regarding the health effects of the West Nile Virus or the status of programs addressing the virus in your area, please contact your local county or state health agency. Questions regarding state pesticide laws and regulations should be directed to your state department of agriculture. Questions regarding federal pesticide laws and regulations, including the registration of pesticides, should be directed to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The links provided below give additional information that may be useful or interesting and is being provided consistent with the intended purpose of the EPA Web site. However, EPA cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided by these links or any other linked site. Providing links to a non-EPA Web site does not constitute an endorsement by EPA or any of its employees of the sponsors of the site or the information or products presented on the site. Also, be aware that the privacy protection provided on the EPA.gov domain (see Privacy and Security Notice) may not be available at the external link.

General Information
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention West Nile Site En Espaņol
Region 10's Pesticide Program
State Pesticides Contacts

Alaska
Alaska Department of Agriculture's West Nile page
Alaska Department of Agriculture's Epidemiology Contacts
Alaska Department of Agriculture's Reportable Conditions and How to Report Them
USGS Map of Reported Virus Activity in Alaska

Idaho
Department of Health and Welfare West Nile Site
Department of Health and Welfare's 2005 Map of Reported Cases and Contact Information
USGS Map of Reported Virus Activity in Idaho

Oregon
Department of Human Services Acute and Communicable Disease Prevention page
Department of Human Services Testing and Reporting Resources
Department of Human Services Prevention and Education
USGS Map of Reported Virus Activity in Oregon

Washington
Department of Health West Nile Site
Department of Health List of Local Health Departments for Reporting and Contact Information
USGS Map of Reported Virus Activity in Washington


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URL: http://yosemite.epa.gov/r10/ECOCOMM.NSF/Pesticides/West-Nile

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