2 birds test positive for West Nile in Jackson County

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) — Jackson County officials say West Nile virus was been found in two dead birds and nine groups of mosquitoes.

Oregon State University experts confirmed the disease was present in a scrub jay found Aug. 12 west of Central Point. The disease was also found in a scrub jay collected July 20 in northeast Medford.

Jackson County Vector Control District biologist James Lunders tells the Mail Tribune (http://bit.ly/1WLvfw6 ) that the virus is showing up earlier this year than it typically does.

Three groups of mosquitoes trapped Aug. 18 outside Eagle Point and Talent tested positive for the virus, joining earlier positive tests.

Health officials say most people infected with the virus don't become sick, but some may develop mild flu-like symptoms. In rare cases, it can cause inflammation of the brain.

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Information from: Mail Tribune, http://www.mailtribune.com/

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