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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 20, 2005 West Nile virus confirmed in two local spots By CHRIS CONRAD Mail Tribune Oregon’s first confirmed reports of mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus were found Friday near Central Point and White City. Jackson County Vector Control workers collected the mosquitoes from traps at West Tou Velle Road near White City and Table Rock Road in Central Point, said vector control manager Eugene Papineau. The traps are part of a surveillance effort to track the virus’ progress throughout the area. So far, five Jackson County birds have tested positive for West Nile virus, officials said. In addition to the mosquitoes, two more infected birds were discovered in south Medford and north Ashland in the past two days, Papineau said. Finding West Nile-positive mosquitoes has put health officials on high alert, said Gary Stevens, program manager at Jackson County Environmental Health. Advertisement "We really need to take this seriously," he said. "We have talked to people who are showing signs and symptoms of the disease." Summer is the peak time for infection because mosquito breeding increases, Papineau said. "Warm weather causes the virus in mosquitoes to become more active," he said. Although most infections are mild, the virus is potentially fatal. The elderly are at higher risk, according to the Jackson County Vector Control web site. Most infected people never show symptoms. The small percentage who do become ill suffer fever, headaches, nausea, body aches, mild skin rash or swollen lymph nodes. Very few cases result in the worst symptoms — fatal brain inflammation. "We have been looking for West Nile since 1999," Papineau said. "We were pretty shocked when we found the positive mosquitoes (Friday). But we were pleased that the surveillance is paying off." Vector control will now expand its search to the areas near where the infected mosquitoes were found in an attempt to determine the prevalence of the virus in Jackson County Papineau said. "We have traps all across the county," Papineau said. "We’re expecting these areas to test positive at any time." Officials are urging people to avoid being outside at dawn and dusk during mosquito season. Protective clothing, including long pants and sleeves, should be worn when outside. Mosquito repellent containing DEET is an effective deterrent. Reach reporting intern Chris Conrad at 776-4471, or e-mail West Nile virus confirmed in two local spots ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s