A dead crow found in Washington county is the first bird to test positive for West Nile virus in the state this year.Health officials say infected birds serve as an early warning that the virus is present in an area and people should take precautions. West Nile is spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito, which become infected by biting birds that have the virus. Health officials say there were 57 cases of West Nile infection among state residents last year.