Skip to main contentOne year ago, state health officials were certain that the West Nile virus epidemic was about to sink its fangs into Oregon. In a flurry of pre-planning, they went on mosquito-killing sprees, got information about virus symptoms out to the public, and set up hotlines for reporting dead crows--which often herald the arrival of the virus.
Nothing happened.
Today, Oregon is the only one of the contiguous United States that has never reported a human or animal case of West Nile virus. And once again, officials are bracing themselves for a breakout year--which means more strikes on mosquito herds, more attempts at raising public awareness about the disease, and more crippling bouts of panic for local hypochondriacs.
"We do think it will happen this year," says state epidemiologist Dr. Mel Kohn. "Of course, we don't know for sure. I don't have a crystal ball."
West Nile virus was first detected in the U.S. five years ago and has killed more than 500 Americans since then. Carried by mosquitoes, the "neuroinvasive" disease attacks a victim's nervous system, causing flulike symptoms in most and potentially fatal inflammation of the brain and spinal membrane in an unlucky few. Less than 1 percent of those who are infected become seriously ill.
Virus experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are forecasting that this year's West Nile hotspot will be California. That, plus the fact that unusually hot weather this spring means a projected banner year for mosquitoes in Oregon, won't help the Beaver State dodge the disease.
"We're completely sandwiched on all sides," says Multnomah County Vector Control supervisor Chris Wirth, who is tasked with neutralizing the buzzing pests. "We're seeing areas that would normally have spring mosquito species that already have summer species. They've been able to get a jump."
The virus is now established in North America, so it's a good idea to protect oneself from mosquitoes by putting up screens and clearing pools of standing water, Kohn says. Though it pales in comparison to scourges like tobacco-related illnesses--which kill 18 Oregonians every day--vigilance against West Nile is key.
"This is a new disease," Kohn says, "and when it comes to Oregon, we don't know how it will play out."
Even if the air is thick with tiny bloodsuckers, there's no guarantee they carry the virus. Still, experts are mystified that West Nile hasn't shown up here.
"It's odd that they've swept across the country and taken a pause here," says Kohn. "We'd like to take credit for it--but we really don't know why it's happening."
For more info, check out www.mchealthinspect.org/vector/wnv.html or call Vector Control's West Nile virus hotline: (503) 988-NILE.
WWeek 2015