Man might have West Nile

A Spokane man in his 60s who was bitten by mosquitoes in Yakima County might have West Nile virus.

The case has been confirmed by local and state lab tests. A third and authoritative test will be conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Dr. Joel McCullough, Spokane County health officer.

The man was hospitalized.

Twenty possible cases of the virus await tests in Washington.

So far this year only one case of West Nile – a Klickitat County man in his 50s – has been confirmed in Washington. There has been one case in Idaho.

There’s never been a case of a person becoming infected with West Nile virus while in Spokane County. Yet health officials warn that the potentially fatal virus could be spread at any time.

A West Nile infection can cause encephalitis or meningitis.

Mosquitoes that feed on infected birds spread the disease by biting humans. McCullough said dead birds tested for the virus have been found in the county, and officials believe mosquitoes carrying the virus are present.