Community Corner
More West Nile For Springfield
Two men in Delaware County were hospitalized after testing positive for West Nile virus earlier in the week, according state officials, now more mosquitoes test positive in Springfield.
A day after the state’s West Nile virus surveillance program reported two human cases of West Nile in Delaware County, another Springfield mosquito sample tests positive for the virus.
The men, ages 55 and 62, are the third and fourth cases of human West Nile documented this summer. Health officials said that although anyone is at risk, older adults and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk.
Due to an unprecedented level of mosquitoes carrying the West Nile Virus, the Department of Health strongly urges residents to minimize their exposure to mosquitoes.
“Pennsylvanians should take steps to eliminate mosquito breeding sites around their homes and prevent mosquito bites by using insect repellants,” advised Secretary of Health Dr. Eli N. Avila in a press release. “This is even more important for older Pennsylvanians and people with weakened immune systems, since they are at the greatest risk of severe illness -- including encephalitis -- if they develop West Nile virus infection.”
Statewide sampling shows higher numbers of WNV-infected mosquitoes than any other summer since monitoring began 10 years ago. This is likely due to last year’s mild winter. As a result, Pennsylvania could see a greater number of human illnesses in 2012 than in recent years. The risk for WNV infection is highest during August and September and will not end until the first hard frost. -Pennsylvania West Nile Virus Control Program
Here are the recent positive test results from the West Nile Virus Control Program:
Find out what's happening in Springfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Aug. 7: (3) Culex Pipiens
- July 26: (2) Culex Pipiens
- July 21: (2) Culex Pipiens
- July 18: Culex Pipiens
- July 10: Culex Pipiens and Culex restuans
- June 28: (2) Culex Pipiens
- June 21: Culex Pipiens
- June 20: Culex Restuans
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection was out and has another spraying scheduled for Delaware County in portions of Upper Chichester and Bethel townships Thursday.
Related Stories:
Do you take precautions to remove standing water to decrease chances of mosquitoes? Are you worried about West Nile virus? Tell us in the comments.
Find out what's happening in Springfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
