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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 6, 2005 Additional scrub jays found to carry the West Nile Virus By PARIS ACHEN Mail Tribune Two more birds have tested positive for West Nile in Jackson County, indicating the virus is spreading, county health officials said Friday. The birds, both western scrub jays, were found July 29 at South Stage Road near Wells Fargo Road in Jacksonville and Aug. 1 at Robert Trent Jones Jr. Boulevard near Alta Vista Road in Eagle Point. "Birds are an early indication of the presence of the virus in an area," said Eugene Papineau, manager of Jackson County Vector Control. Mosquitoes become carriers of the disease by biting infected birds and can pass it on to other birds, animals and humans. "People should be vigilant about getting rid of potential mosquito-breeding sources: old tires, water features, swimming pools that have not been treated, buckets or barrels with flower clippings, anything that hold water from rain or sprinklers." Advertisement Other precautions include ensuring screens are intact or patched and wearing mosquito repellent containing the chemical DEET, picaradin or oil of lemon eucalyptus when outdoors. Three infected birds have been detected in the county since July 26. The first, also a western scrub-jay, was found on Valley View Drive near the intersection of Hillcrest Road in East Medford. The three birds are the first known cases of the virus this year in Oregon. In 2004, Oregon recorded West Nile in five people, 23 birds and 32 horses. One human case was found in Jackson County when a blood donor tested positive for the virus but showed no symptoms. About one in five of those infected show no signs of the disease. Symptoms include headache, body aches, loss of appetite, fatigue and occasionally, nausea and vomiting. In rare cases, the virus can infect the brain or spinal column. The county traps and tests mosquitoes in the ZIP codes where infected birds are found to monitor the progress of the virus. So far, no mosquitoes have tested positive. The county also does targeted mosquito spraying in areas where residents request it and treats water bodies and irrigation ditches weekly to remove mosquito larvae. To report a dead bird for West Nile testing or request spraying, call the Jackson County Vector Control District at 779-6460. The district tests corvids (crows, jays and ravens) within 24 hours of death. Although the virus is not spread through handling, county health officials recommend not touching the dead birds to avoid other diseases. Reach reporter Paris Achen at 776-4496 or e-mail Additional scrub jays found to carry the West Nile Virus ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations Casinos Canada dvd-r Generic Viagra Myspace Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Student Loans Sudoku Online Advertisement s Advertisement