Year's First West Nile Virus-Carrying Mosquito Reported in Pa.

West Nile Virus is back in Pennsylvania.

State officials have confirmed the year’s first mosquito with West Nile Virus has been detected in York County. A bird with the virus has also been found in Centre County.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the state Health Department said the infected mosquito was collected on May 22 in Springettsbury Township. The infected bird was found in Harris Township on May 26.

“DEP vigilantly monitors the mosquito population across Pennsylvania. When West Nile Virus is identified, DEP staff works quickly to prevent the spread of the virus,” said Acting DEP Secretary John Quigley. “Today’s announcement serves as a reminder that all Pennsylvanians should take precautions to protect against mosquitos.”

If the virus is transmitted to a human, they could contract West Nile fever or West Nile encephalitis, an infection that can result in inflammation of the brain. Last year, West Nile Virus was detected in 39 Pennsylvania counties and resulted in 13 human cases, including one fatality, state officials said.

Older adults and those with compromised immune systems are at the highest risk of becoming ill and developing severe complications from West Nile, health officials said.

But all are potentially at risk.

“We encourage all to use caution prior to spending time outdoors,” said Department of Health Secretary Dr. Karen Murphy.

An integrated pest management program implemented statewide in 2004 aims to identify and control mosquito populations. Areas identified as infected with West Nile are treated with “effective and safe control substances,” DEP officials said in a statement.

The following precautionary measures are recommended to prevent mosquito breeding and avoid the spread of West Nile:

• Dispose of cans, buckets, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or similar containers that hold water.
• Drill drainage holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers.
• Clean roof gutters regularly, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to block drains.
• Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use.
• Turn over wheelbarrows and do not let water stagnate in birdbaths.
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools and remove any water that may collect on pool covers.

For more information about West Nile Virus in Pennsylvania, visit www.westnile.state.pa.us.