The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department sent out mosquito bite prevention tips on Monday, after testing found mosquitoes were carrying the West Nile virus and La Crosse virus in Kanawha County.
Patients present with West Nile virus each year in Kanawha County, according to John Law, spokesman for the health department.
But La Crosse virus is "kind of a different animal" that the health department sees "on occasion," according to Stanley Mills, director of environmental services.
Along with four interns, Mills set mosquito traps in Kanawha and Putnam counties throughout the summer.
The health department found, and DHHR's Office of Laboratory Services confirmed, that some tested positive for West Nile and La Crosse viruses, according to a news release sent Monday.
In a phone interview, Law said that one Kanawha County resident has tested positive for La Crosse virus.
"The person is hospitalized and - I understand - is recovering well," he said.
La Cross encephalitis virus "is a rare disease that is caused by a virus spread by infected mosquitoes," according to the CDC. About 80-100 cases are reported nationwide each year.
"Most persons infected with LACV have no apparent illness," the CDC states. "Initial symptoms in those who become ill include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and tiredness. Severe disease (involving encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain) occurs most commonly in children under age 16, and is often accompanied by seizures. Coma and paralysis occur in some cases."
Symptoms typically take five to 15 days to develop.
In an interview, Mills said that until last summer, "we've not tested as much as we could."
"We've only been doing this hot and heavy for two years in Kanawha County," he said. "We have the staff capability to do it."
"By the end of the summer, more mosquitoes carry the [West Nile] virus because they've had time to bite the birds and amplify the virus back and forth," he said.
La Crosse was only found in Kanawha County. Mills said the virus is more typically found in the Fayette, Raleigh and Nicholas county areas.
West Nile was found in both counties.
West Nile virus is most commonly transmitted by mosquitoes, according to the CDC. While most people who are infected develop no symptoms, less than 1 percent of people may develop a serious neurological illness.
"About one in 5 people who are infected develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint paints, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash," the CDC states. "Most people with this type of West Nile virus recovery completely."
People who get sick tend to show symptoms between two and 14 days after being bitten.
Health department officials suggested that people eliminate standing water in their yards, wear light-colored loose fitting clothing, and wear long sleeves and pants when practical.
They also recommend choosing a mosquito repellent that is registered by the EPA and contains DEET.
Reach Erin Beck at erin.beck@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5163, Facebook.com/erinbeckwv, or follow @erinbeckwv on Twitter.