Health Officials Say West Nile is Statewide
Public health officials cited new evidence of West Nile virus in birds in two Arkansas cities, saying the disease likely is present across the state.
No humans are known to have been infected. But officials said dead blue jays from Fort Smith and Benton have tested positive.
The virus, carried to humans by mosquitoes that feed off infected birds, has killed at least 10 people in the U.S. since 1999.
The virus causes no symptoms in most people but can cause a flu-like infection that can develop into encephalitis in the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
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