Itchy red bumps are not all mosquito bites bring. The pesky insects can also carry West Nile virus, which can cause encephalitis, a brain inflammation.

For most people, the virus causes no symptoms. For about 20 percent of those infected, it causes a few days of flulike symptoms headache, body aches, fever, rash, and swollen lymph glands with no lasting effects.But for one in every 150 people infected, the effects are severe, with headaches, high fevers, stiff necks, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis. The neurological effects may be permanent.People over age 50 are most at risk; there is no vaccine for West Nile virus.So far this year, the virus has been found in mosquitoes in Allegheny, Blair, Cambria, Chester, Lycoming, Montgomery, and York counties, and in a bird in Centre County. No cases have been found in people, according to the state's West Nile Virus Program.Locally, the risk of West Nile is deemed remote in Schuylkill, Lehigh, Monroe, and Northampton counties.There is no surveillance being done in Carbon.Schuylkill Haven was due to be sprayed on Wednesday but that has been postponed due to heavy rains.If West Nile virus is found in your area, here are some ways you can protect yourself.• Take normal steps to prevent insect bites.• Wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are most active.• Use mosquito repellent.• Electromagnetic and ultrasound devices and vitamin B are not effective in preventing mosquito bites.