West Nile virus found in Moses Lake waterfowl

OLYMPIA (AP) - The Washington Health Department says the first

birds in the state to test positive this season for West Nile virus

were a mallard duck and a white pelican at the North Potholes Game

Reserve near Moses Lake.

The department says the virus has never been found before in

these migratory birds in Washington.

OLYMPIA (AP) - The Washington Health Department says the first birds in the state to test positive this season for West Nile virus were a mallard duck and a white pelican at the North Potholes Game Reserve near Moses Lake.

The department says the virus has never been found before in these migratory birds in Washington.

The birds were picked up by state wildlife agents investigating an unusual number of deaths at the reserve. The virus was confirmed in testing at the U.S. Geological Survey's National Wildlife Health Center at Madison, Wisc.

Last year was the state's most active for West Nile virus with numerous confirmations in birds, horses and mosquitoes. There also were 38 human infections and the state's first death.