Animal & Insect Related Diseases and Conditions

Preventing the spread of disease from animals to humans is a public health responsibility.
The Environmental Health division:

• Investigates reports of animal bites by dogs, cats, bats, ferrets and wild animals for the risk of rabies.
• Works closely with animal control agencies regarding animal bites to local residents.
• Monitors illnesses contracted from ticks, mosquitoes and mice throughout Spokane County.
• Educates about the risks of animal-carried disease and methods to reduce the risk through habitat control.
• Conducts surveillance for emerging animal and insect-carried disease including West Nile virus.

Epidemiology staff respond to reported cases of human illness and exposure to illness caused by animals and insects. Epidemiologists educate and work closely with health care providers and the Washington State Department of Health to respond to cases of animal-carried disease in the community.

West Nile Virus
The following materials contain more detailed information about West Nile virus:

• Don’t Give Mosquitoes a Chance (PDF)
  
• West Nile Virus brochure (PDF)
• West Nile Virus Information & Resources (PDF)
• Safe Use of Insect Repellents (PDF)
• West Nile Virus & Dead Birds (PDF)

West Nile virus information in other languages

West Nile virus video

Call the West Nile Virus Information Line at (509) 323-2847.
Or call (509) 324-1560, ext. 7, for more West Nile virus information.

To report a dead bird: Click here

Additional Topics:

• Head Lice Information (link)

• Psittacosis (parrot fever or ornithosis) (PDF)
• Rabies (link)
• Tick tips (PDF)
• Tick-borne Relapsing Fever (PDF)
• Hantavirus (PDF)
• Yellow Jackets (PDF)