The Barometer Online

A dead crow in Corvallis has tested positive for the presence of West Nile virus, the Benton County Health Department said. The bird was found on Sept. 30 and was tested at OSU's Veterinary Diagnostics Lab.

West Nile virus normally lives in birds and spreads when mosquitoes bite an infected bird and then a human.

Humans cannot get the disease from birds or other people.

"Infections can range from mild to more serious, with fever, headache and body aches, possibly with a skin rash and swollen lymph glands," a BCHD press release says.

But more severe infections can cause West Nile encephalitis, which can cause coma, seizures and in rare cases, death. People 50 years or older appear to be at the highest risk of severe illness, BCHD said.

In effort to control mosquito populations, the BCHD says citizens should play a large role in "source reduction," by eliminating pools of standing water and emptying containers that can hold water.

BCHD is taking reports of dead crows, magpies and blue jays that appear to have died of natural causes. To report a bird call 541-766-6841.

Health officials are documenting the spread of the disease by ZIP code. The Corvallis bird was found in 97330.

Once a case is found, no more testing will occur for documentation purposes.

However, anyone can submit a dead bird to OSU's Diagnostic Lab and pay the fee for testing, said OSU's Virology Lab Supervisor Rocky Baker. The lab is located behind Dryden Hall.

"The crows and the jays make a good surveillance tool," Baker said. When a dead bird comes into his lab, the brain is removed and tests are performed.

"We're not growing the virus, we're just looking for the genetic make-up of the virus," Baker said.

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