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West Nile Virus Found In Oklahoma Mosquitoes

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Public health authorities announced Wednesday that the potentially fatal West Nile virus is now present in Oklahoma County mosquitoes.

An Oklahoma City-County Health Department spokesman confirmed a mosquito population is infected. There haven't been human infections reported in the county.

Only two people have been infected statewide this year. The cases were reported in Tulsa and Major counties.

There were 84 cases of West Nile virus in Oklahoma last year and eight deaths.

The virus is spread by the Culex mosquito, which feeds on infected birds and transmits the virus when biting humans, horses and other mammals. Symptoms include a sudden fever, headache, dizziness and muscle weakness.

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