Pittsburgh-Area West Nile Virus Insecticide Spraying Increasing

PITTSBURGH, PA — Allegheny County is increasing pesticide spraying as mosquito samples collected in and around Pittsburgh continue to test positive for West Nile Virus.

The Allegheny County Health Department will treat certain communities with the low-risk pesticide Zenevex E20 to reduce the mosquito population and lower the risk of mosquito-borne diseases. The insecticide is not harmful to humans or pets.

On Aug. 26, crews will be treating Crafton, Ingram, Crafton Heights, Chartiers, Corliss, Elliott, Esplen, and Sheraden.

West Nile Virus is the nation's leading mosquito borne disease and is spread by infected mosquitoes. There have been two reported human cases of West Nile Virus within Allegheny County thus far this year; one of the afflicted required hospitalization.

According to the health department, mosquitoes can breed in as little as a half inch of stagnant water, so people should pay close attention to potential breeding sites like stagnant water in tires, unused swimming pools, buckets, corrugated piping and clogged gutters.