West Nile virus detected in Franklin County

The state Health Department says West Nile virus has been detected for the first time this year in Washington.

The virus was found Wednesday in mosquitoes collected near Mesa in Franklin County.

Last year the virus was found in mosquitoes in Franklin, Grant and Yakima counties. No people became ill.

The Health Department says most people bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus won't become ill. Some may have a headache and fever. For about one in every 150 people who are infected, the illness could be severe, even deadly.

The Associated Press