Penn Hills Mosquito Sample Tests Positive for West Nile Virus

A mosquito sample in Penn Hills was one of six in the state to test positive for West Nile Virus on Wednesday.

To combat the spread of West Nile virus, Pennsylvania has developed a comprehensive network covering all 67 counties, in which professionals trap mosquitoes, collect dead birds and monitor horses, people and, in past years, sentinel chickens.

West Nile virus is a disease—mild to severe—spread by mosquitos.  Infected mosquitoes pass the virus onto people, birds and animals when they bite them. According to the Pennsylvania's West Nile Control Program, West Nile virus cases in Pennsylvania occur primarily in the mid summer or early fall, although mosquito season is usually April to October.

People with mild infections could experience fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph glands, though most people who are infected with the West Nile virus will not have any type of illness. Mild symptoms generally last a few days.

The symptoms of severe infection (West Nile encephalitis or meningitis) include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis. It is estimated that 1 in 150 people infected with the West Nile virus will develop a more severe form of disease, according to the program's website.

Prevention

According to the Center for Disease Control, there are several ways to prevent mosquito bites. They include:

• Using an insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient.
• Wearing long sleeves and pants at dawn and dusk, when many mosquitoes are most active. People also should consider staying indoors.
• Having good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
• Getting rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children's wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren't being used.

For more information, call 1-877-PA-HEALTH or visit www.westnile.state.pa.us.