YAKIMA COUNTY, Wash. - A resident of Yakima County has contracted West Nile virus, according to the Yakima Health District (YHD).

This is the first human case reported in Yakima County or the state of Washington this year.

West Nile virus is almost always spread through the bite of a mosquito carrying the virus, YFD said.

YHD said the best protection measures against the virus include staying indoors at dawn and dusk (when mosquitos are most active), using an EPA-registered insect repellant, securing windows and doors with tight-fitting screens and disposing of standing water where mosquitos can lay eggs. There is no vaccine to against West Nile virus.

Most people who contract West Nile virus will not develop any symptoms. However, symptoms for those who do include headache, body aches

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