Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon health officials say mosquitoes carrying the first West Nile virus of the year have been found in Baker County.

County officials caught the mosquitoes in traps by and tested them at a state laboratory.

Dr. Emilio DeBess is a state public health epidemiologist.  He says West Nile can cause fever or flu-like symptoms and the best way for people to prevent infection is to use mosquito repellant.

Emilio DeBess: “They need to protect themselves with mosquito repellant, that there are multiple choices, DEET, there’s oil of lemon eucalyptus available at the store, it’s an all natural product.”

DeBess says so far, no human cases of West Nile have been reported in Oregon this year.

Last year, 27 people were found to have caught the  virus in the state.

Severe infections may cause inflammation of the brain, and in rare cases, death.