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Kennewick:
8am to noon
1pm to 5pm
Monday-Friday
Vital Records
Same-day
In-Person
Service (Kennewick office only)
8am to 11:30am
1pm to 4pm
Monday-Friday
Pasco:
8am to noon
1pm to 5pm
Monday-Friday
Prosser Office
Immunizations: Tuesday and Thursday; 9am to Noon and 1pm to 5pm.
Environmental Health: Monday and Thursday; 9am to 10:30am.
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When dealing with West Nile virus;
Prevention is your best protection.
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Fighting mosquito bites reduces your risk of getting infected with West Nile virus, along with other diseases that mosquitoes may carry.
Take the three steps below to reduce your risk:
- avoid bites and illness
- clean out the mosquitoes from the places where you work, live, and play
- help our community monitor and prevent the disease
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Avoid Mosquito Bites |
 Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours
The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many species of mosquitoes. Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing during evening and early morning -- or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times. If possible, stay inside when mosquitoes are biting.
Keep Your Skin Covered
Light-colored, long-sleeves, long pants and socks can help prevent mosquito bites. Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with insect repellent will give extra protection. Do not spray repellent on the skin under your clothing.
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Brochures:
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Use Insect Repellent
Even a short time outdoors can be long enough to get a mosquito bite. Apply insect repellent on exposed skin when you go outdoors. Use an EPA-registered insect repellent such as those with DEET, IR 3535, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Only adults should apply repellent to children. Be sure to wash your hands before you eat and wash the repellent off when you come inside.
For details on when and how to apply repellent, see Insect Repellent Use and Safety from the CDC website.
Read the Insect Repellent brochure from the Benton-Franklin Health District.
Vaccinate Horses
A vaccine is available to protect horses from infection. Talk with your veterinarian for more information.
Information on WNV and horses is also available from the CDC website.
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Apply insect repellent on exposed skin when you go outdoors.
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Mosquito-Proof Your Area |
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Drain Standing Water
Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Some mosquitoes can grow from the egg stage to a biting adult within one week, especially during the hot summer temperatures. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by getting rid of items that hold water.
- At least once a week, empty water from flower pots, pet food and water dishes, birdbaths, swimming pool covers, buckets, barrels, and cans.
- Check for clogged rain gutters and clean them out.
- Remove discarded tires, and other items that could collect water.
- Be sure to check for containers or trash in places that may be hard to see, such as under bushes or under your home.
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Install or Repair Screens
Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having well-fitting screens on both windows and doors.
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Mosquito Control Programs
There are two organized mosquito control programs in the Benton and Franklin Counties that serve their representative counties.
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Help Our Community |
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Report Dead Birds to the Health Department
Dead birds may be a sign that West Nile virus is present in the birds and the mosquitoes in an area. Only certain birds (corvids and raptors) are tested for West Nile virus.
By reporting dead birds, you play an important role in monitoring West Nile virus. Read more for details about reporting dead birds in Benton and Franklin Counties. Click here for more info about reporting dead birds.
Print a Prevent West Nile Virus flyer from the Benton-Franklin Health District.
Clean Up the Neighborhood
Mosquitoes can breed in many different types standing water. Neighborhood clean up days can be organized by civic or youth organizations to pick up water-holding containers from vacant lots and parks, and to encourage people to keep their yards free of standing water. |
Only crows, magpies, ravens, and raptors are submitted for West Nile Virus testing. Raven photo by Kelly McAllister. Image courtesy of WDFW.
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| West Nile Virus and Your Health |
West Nile Virus and Your Health
In an area with West Nile virus, an estimated 1% of the mosquitoes will be able to transmit the virus to people. Although the likelihood of becoming infected with West Nile virus is quite small, the infection can cause serious illness that may last from a few days to months, or longer. The symptoms of West Nile virus infection range from relatively mild to severe, including neurological disorders and death.
Symptoms generally appear about 3-15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. The more common mild illness has the following symptoms:
- Slight fever
- Headache
- Body aches
- Swollen glands
- Sometimes a skin rash
The severe form of the illness is usually found in people over 50 years of age and has the following symptoms:
- High fever
- Intense headache
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
Treatment
Anyone who may be ill from West Nile virus should see their health provider as soon as possible. Supportive treatment is available for the more serious cases.
Additional health information is available from the CDC. |
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Additional Resources |
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Mosquito Control Programs
There are two organized mosquito control programs in the Benton and Franklin Counties that serve their representative counties.
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Status in Washington
Current status is available from the Washington State Department of Health.
Educational Materials
Several handouts and posters are available in multiple languages from the Washington State Department of Health Zoonotic Program. |
World Wide Web Links
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Home
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Top
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Benton Franklin Health District
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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY PLEASE CALL 911
If you are either a medical practitioner, first responder, or public works official and need to report an emergency that immediately endangers public health, please call 509-543-3851. Only medical practitioners, first responders, and public works officials may use this number.
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HTTP://WWW.BFHD.WA.GOV © 2002 DISCLAIMER
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The public can reference BFHD policies available in Kennewick office.
BFHD Privacy Statement
Copies of the annual report available at all BFHD offices.
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Contact: info(at)bfhd.wa.gov
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About the BFHD 
