The infection

was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention laboratory.

The discovery was not unexpected, since Lowndes County is near Jefferson

County, Florida, where another infected crow was discovered in June.

No West Nile

virus infections in humans have been identified in Georgia.

West Nile virus

is a close relative of other types of mosquito-borne viruses that circulate

in Georgia every year, such as St. Louis encephalitis and eastern equine

encephalitis viruses. Prior to August of 1999, West Nile virus has never

been reported in the Western Hemisphere.

Most people

who are infected with West Nile virus do not even get sick. However, a

small proportion of infected people mostly people over age 50 may become

ill with symptoms of encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and require

hospitalization. Mosquitoes spread the virus by feeding on the blood of

infected birds. The disease cannot be spread from person to person.

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