MOSES LAKE — West Nile virus has returned to Grant County.

According to the Grant County Health District, a mosquito collected last week within Grant County Mosquito Control District No. 1 tested positive for West Nile virus — the first such test in 2018.

“Last year, eight people were diagnosed with West Nile virus disease from mosquitoes in Eastern Washington and five additional Washington residents were infected outside our state,” read a health district news release.

However, the health district also reports that while 14 mosquito samples tested positive for West Nile in 2017, there were no reported cases in Grant County.

“WNV is back again so if you haven’t already been taking the necessary steps to prevent mosquito bites, now is the time to start,” said Amber McCoy, a district environmental health specialist.

Mosquito District No. 1 covers the greater Moses Lake area, as far south as Potholes Reservoir and north to a point nearly halfway between Soap Lake and Wilson Creek.

According to the health district, West Nile is only spread through mosquito bites, and while the risk of getting West Nile is low, anyone can be infected. While most people who get infected won’t get sick, about one in five will suffer mild symptoms — fever, headache and body aches. About one in 150 will suffer more severe symptoms, including high fever, stupor, disorientation, tremors and convulsions, weakness, paralysis and coma, the health district said.

The health district is advising residents to avoid exposure to mosquitoes by staying indoors, wearing long sleeves and long pants when going into mosquito-infested areas, using mosquito repellent when outdoors and eliminating mosquito breeding areas around their homes.

Birds and horses are also vulnerable, and the district said dead birds — especially crows, ravens, magpies, jays and raptors — could be an indication of West Nile.

If you have any symptoms of West Nile virus, the district encourages you to contact your health care provider. The health district is also encouraging Grant County residents to report dead birds to the health district at 509-766-7960.

Charles H. Featherstone can be reached via email at countygvt@columbiabasinherald.com.