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BEND - A public informational session about West Nile Virus will be held in Bend on Thursday, March 20, as part of the OSU Over Lunch series sponsored by the Oregon State University Alumni Association.

The talk, "West Nile Virus: What You Need to Know in 2003," will begin at noon in the Grandview Building of Central Oregon Community College. It is free and open to the public, but registration is requested by sending an e-mail message to scott.elmshaeuser@orst.edu. An Alumni Association luncheon will precede the lecture. West Nile Virus is expected to arrive in Oregon this year, having spread rapidly across the U.S. in the past couple years.

Speaking at the forum will be two OSU veterinary medical doctors and experts on West Nile Virus. Dr. Donald Mattson, a virologist for the OSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, will speak on the impact the virus may have in Oregon and things people can do to prepare for it. Dr. Jerry Heidel will discuss new challenges facing the diagnostic laboratory, which is assisting the state of Oregon in monitoring the spread of the virus.

More information about the lecture, luncheon, maps and registration can be found on the web at http://alumni.oregonstate.edu/events/over_westnile.html.