Mosquito Spraying In Chestnut Hill To Combat West Nile

CHESTNUT HILL, PHILADELPHIA – The Department of Environmental Protection announced that numerous mosquito samples collected in Philadelphia tested positive for West Nile Virus and the city's Department of Health is spraying for mosquitoes in Chestnut Hill to combat the virus.

Forty-three total samples were found on Aug. 1, July 31, July 28, July 27, and July 26, according to DEP information.

Those days combined accounted for 189 samples that tested positive for West Nile Virus in Pennsylvania.

Officials will be spraying in Chestnut Hillon streets surrounding Pastorius Park from Chestnut Hill Avenue to Springfield Avenue and Germantown Avenue to Seminole and St. Martins Avenues.

West Nile Virus typically causes fever but can lead to neurological illness in extremely rare cases.

Certain mosquito species carry the West Nile Virus, which can cause humans to contract West Nile encephalitis, an infection that can result in an inflammation of the brain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all residents in areas where virus activity has been identified are at risk of contracting West Nile encephalitis.

The county offered up tips to residents to help limit mosquito populations on their properties:

• Dispose of cans, buckets, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar containers that hold water on your property.
• Properly dispose of discarded tires that can collect water. Stagnant water is where most mosquitoes breed.
• Drill holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers.
• Clean clogged roof gutters every year, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees tend to plug drains.
• Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use.
• Turn over wheelbarrows and don’t let water stagnate in birdbaths.
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools not in use and remove any water that may collect on pool covers.
• For stagnant pools of water, homeowners can buy Bti products at lawn and garden, outdoor supply, home improvement and other stores. This naturally occurring bacteria kills mosquito larva, but is safe for people, pets, aquatic life and plants.

Some tips to avoid mosquito bites include:

• Make sure screens fit tightly over doors and windows to keep mosquitoes out of homes.
• Consider wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks when outdoors, particularly when mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, or in areas known for having large numbers of mosquitoes.
• When possible, reduce outdoor exposure at dawn and dusk during peak mosquito periods, usually April through October.
• Use insect repellants according to the manufacturer’s instructions. An effective repellant will contain DEET, picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil. Consult with a pediatrician or family physician for questions about the use of repellant on children, as repellant is not recommended for children under the age of two months.

Visit the state's webpage on the West Nile Virus Control program to learn more about mosquitoes and West Nile Virus.

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