A rare case of West Nile virus was reported in Lewis County Friday afternoon when the Washington State Department of Health confirmed a crow found in Mossyrock tested positive for the virus.

    This most recent detection marks the second time the virus has been identified in Western Washington this year, the first being an infected crow in Mason County in July, according to the state Department of Health.

    It is also another case among a string of recent cases; last week, a Klickitat County man in his 50s became the state’s first known human case this year. Earlier this week, two dead birds from Franklin County and six Eastern Washington horses were discovered to be carrying the virus, according to the state health department.

    As of Friday, the virus has been detected in 23 horses and 265 mosquito samples in Eastern Washington counties, according to the state health department, and the number of positive cases of West Nile virus is anticipated when new figures are released Tuesday.

    Fever, headache and body aches are some of the mild symptoms. More severe symptoms include high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis. In rare cases the virus can be deadly.

    The state Department of Health is encouraging people to avoid mosquito bites by staying inside around dawn and dusk, use mosquito repellent and replace any standing water at least two times a week.

    People who find dead bird are also asked to report them online at www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/Zoo/WNV/reportdeadbird.html.