Mosquitos With West Nile Virus Found In Radnor Two Days In a Row

Another mosquito testing postive for West Nile Virus has been discovered in Radnor, according to the most recent sampling by the state’s West Nile Virus Control program.

The sampling, released Wednesday afternoon, represents the second day in a row that the program has reported finding the virus within a mosquito in the township.

On Tuesday, the state said two mosquitoes from Radnor had tested positive.

The program made a similar announcement last week, on July 28, stating a mosquito collected in the township had tested positive.

According to state officials, Delaware County is in the top five counties with the highest number of positive cases among mosquitoes in Pennsylvania.

Brandon Swalina, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, which manages the West Nile Virus Control program, said that while residents should take the potential risk posed by mosquitoes seriously, most people shouldn’t worry too much -- as long as they take the proper precautions.

“People should always take West Nile seriously and always to their part to prevent mosquitoes from laying their eggs in their area,” said Swalina. “Overturn pools of standing water, such as in small pools or pots, and always use bug repellent -- anything that contains DEET.

“However, as far as infection goes, 70 to 80 percent of people who are infected by West Nile Virus don’t develop any symptoms at all,” he added. “The remaining 20 percent get a fever, and only about 1 percent develop a neurological illness. So, as long as you remove standing water and use bug repellent, it’s not something to fret over on a day-to-day basis.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, West Nile is transmitted via mosquitos and there are currently no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent WNV infection.

The best thing residents can do is get rid of standing water where mosquitoes can breed on their property, according to experts.

Here are more tips to reduce exposure to West Nile:

• Dispose of cans, buckets, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar containers that hold water.
• 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.
• Have clogged roof gutters cleaned every year as the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency 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. If a resident has stagnant pools of water on their property, they can buy BTI products at lawn and garden, outdoor supply, home improvement and other stores. This naturally occurring bacterium kills mosquito larvae, but is safe for people, pets, aquatic life and plants.
• 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 repellents according to the manufacturer’s instructions. An effective repellent will contain DEET, picardin or lemon eucalyptus oil. Consult with a pediatrician or family physician for questions about the use of repellent on children, as repellent is not recommended for children under the age of two months.

For more information about West Nile virus and the state’s surveillance and control program, visit www.westnile.state.pa.us.