Oregon Public Broadcasting

Although swine flu has been in the headlines, public health officials in the Northwest are turning their attention to another illness: West Nile virus.

As the weather warms after a wet winter, they say the mosquitoes that spread the virus are starting to breed. Inland Northwest correspondent Doug Nadvornick reports.

West Nile virus made its first appearance in Idaho in 2004. Two years later, it sickened 1000 Gem State residents and killed 23.

That same year, 73 Oregonians contracted the virus and one died from it.

So it’s an illness that public health officials like Dr. Joel McCullough take seriously.

McCullough is Spokane County’s health officer. He’s urging homeowners to reduce the spread of the disease by paying attention to the places where mosquitoes lay their eggs.

Joel McCullough: “They prefer to breed in small containers. That could be empty cans or bird baths. These containers are filled with organic material like leaves or grass clippings. And that provides food for the mosquitoes.”

The mosquito abatement work appears to be paying off. Last year, Washington reported only three West Nile virus cases, Oregon 16. And Idaho, two years after reporting 1000 cases, had only 40 in 2008.