ONTARIO, Ore. (AP) -- Oregon's first human West Nile cases of 2008 have surfaced in Malheur County.

County health officials say three residents reported infections during the last week of July. All are recovering.

Most West Nile infections are mild, with fever and flu-like symptoms but severe infections may cause inflammation of thebrain and, rarely, death.

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In 2007 Oregon recorded 27 human cases of West Nile virus, including two Oregonians who became infected in otherstates. Twelve of those cases were from Malheur County.

West Nile virus is transmitted to people by mosquitoes.