NATCHEZ &045;&045; A blue jay found Thursday on Westwood Road has tested positive for the West Nile virus, the Mississippi Department of Health in Jackson confirmed Monday morning.

No confirmed human cases of the virus have been reported in Adams County, Concordia Parish or any surrounding counties or parishes, according to state health departments.

City crews sprayed Westwood Road for mosquitoes Friday after receiving a report from Mayor Phillip West’s office, said Reggie Carter, interim public works director. That office had received a call from a Westwood Road resident regarding the bird, which was found in her yard.

Crews will continue to spray in the Montebello subdivision if a large number of mosquitoes are found in traps set in that area. &uot;We don’t spray all over town &045;&045; the chemicals are too expensive,&uot; Carter said. &uot;We spray where we find the most mosquitoes in the traps.&uot;

Other than that, Carter said his department will continue to monitor traps set throughout town and will spray mosquito spray in that area. when the number of mosquitoes exceeds 20 to 30.

Such efforts are serious business, given the fact there is no vaccine for the virus transmitted by mosquitoes. Most humans develop only mild symptoms, such as headache, fever, dizziness or slurred speech, but the virus can lead to encephalitis, a more serious illness that can cause brain damage or death.

The mayor’s office confirmed Monday afternoon a Health Department employee had been dispatched to Natchez to continue investigation of the West Nile case. But health officials could not be reached Monday afternoon to determine what that probe would entail.

Of the 11 birds that have been sent to the Mississippi Department of Health for testing this year from Adams County, only the one found on Westwood has tested positive for the virus. Of four birds sent in to the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals from Concordia Parish, none have tested positive. Three birds have tested positive for the virus in Tensas Parish.

West said anyone finding a dead bird suspected of carrying the West Nile virus should report it to his office or the local Health Department office.

The bird should be double-bagged in plastic and stored in a cool place until it can be transferred by the Health Department for testing in Jackson, according to Mississippi Department of Health personnel.