A second mosquito carrying the West Nile virus has been found in Kanawha County - this time in the Lower Falls area of St. Albans, the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department said today.

Department officials said West Nile virus appears widespread in most areas of Kanawha County.

Last month, a West Nile-infected mosquito was identified in the Big Bend area of Tornado.

"West Nile virus is widespread over the state of West Virginia," said Dr. Kerry Gateley, the Health Department's director. "We are reminding residents to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites."

The infected mosquito was found in a trap near a sewage treatment plant.

To avoid insect bites, people should use insect repellants that contain DEET, and wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when outside, health officials said.

West Nile virus symptoms include unexplained fever and headache, and seizures. Most infected people don't become ill, but 7 to 10 percent of cases are fatal. The virus is most dangerous in people older than 50.

The Health Department is urging Kanawha County residents to remove mosquito-breeding sites from their property. The blood-sucking insects often breed in stagnant water left in buckets, watering cans, rimless tires, unused swimming pools, birdbaths and flowerpots. Even small amounts of water attract mosquitoes.

The first human cases of West Nile in West Virginia were reported in Putnam and Wood counties in 2002.

Kanawha County's last reported human case was in August 2006, when a Mink Shoals man contracted the virus. The virus infected the man's brain and spinal cord, but he survived.

Reach Eric Eyre at erice...@wvgazette.com or 348-4869.

What you need to know

The Health Department is urging Kanawha County residents to remove mosquito-breeding sites from their property. The blood-sucking insects often breed in stagnant water left in buckets, watering cans, rimless tires, unused swimming pools, birdbaths and flowerpots. Even small amounts of water attract mosquitoes.

A second mosquito carrying the West Nile virus has been found in Kanawha County - this time in the Lower Falls area of St. Albans, the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department said today.

Department officials said West Nile virus appears widespread in most areas of Kanawha County.

Last month, a West Nile-infected mosquito was identified in the Big Bend area of Tornado.

"West Nile virus is widespread over the state of West Virginia," said Dr. Kerry Gateley, the Health Department's director. "We are reminding residents to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites."

The infected mosquito was found in a trap near a sewage treatment plant.

To avoid insect bites, people should use insect repellants that contain DEET, and wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when outside, health officials said.

West Nile virus symptoms include unexplained fever and headache, and seizures. Most infected people don't become ill, but 7 to 10 percent of cases are fatal. The virus is most dangerous in people older than 50.

The Health Department is urging Kanawha County residents to remove mosquito-breeding sites from their property. The blood-sucking insects often breed in stagnant water left in buckets, watering cans, rimless tires, unused swimming pools, birdbaths and flowerpots. Even small amounts of water attract mosquitoes.

The first human cases of West Nile in West Virginia were reported in Putnam and Wood counties in 2002.

Kanawha County's last reported human case was in August 2006, when a Mink Shoals man contracted the virus. The virus infected the man's brain and spinal cord, but he survived.

Reach Eric Eyre at erice...@wvgazette.com or 348-4869.

What you need to know

The Health Department is urging Kanawha County residents to remove mosquito-breeding sites from their property. The blood-sucking insects often breed in stagnant water left in buckets, watering cans, rimless tires, unused swimming pools, birdbaths and flowerpots. Even small amounts of water attract mosquitoes.