Positive West Nile Samples Collected In Haverford: DEP

HAVERFORD, PA – The Department of Environmental Protection announced that several mosquito samples collected in Haverford Township tested positive for West Nile Virus.

One positive sample was found July 21 and two were found July 28, according to the DEP.

The three positives were among 15 total positive samples in Delaware County on those days, with other areas being Radnor, Upper Darby, and Lansdowne.

A total of 98 samples were found across Pennsylvania on those two days combined.

Delaware County officials are planning to spray several areas in the county for mosquitoes.

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.

Not only did the county provide tips to limit mosquito numbers, it offered tips to avoid mosquito bites:

• 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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