Sample Tests Positive for West Nile Virus in Warminster

A sample from a mosquito trapped near the Warminster Public Works office tested positive for West Nile Virus, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

This is the first sample in the township to test positive this year, and it will take more samples to determine the action plan, said Amanda Witman, spokesperson for the DEP.

"There's no magic number," said Witman. "Our biologists will test the sample and make a decision based on what they find. We typically spray at night about .75 ounces per acre."

Bucks is one of the counties in the state with a health department that handles its own spraying protocol. The county health department collects the samples and sends them for testing at the state health department, which can offer a recommendation, but the local officials make the final determination.

"Next week we will do more trapping around the building and into the residential areas," said Phil Smith, West Nile Virus coordinator for the Bucks County Department of Health. "One sample is not good enough to start spraying the area."

Crews sprayed mosquitoes twice so far — in Falls and Bristol Townships last week. Seven mosquito samples from Levittown have tested positive for West Nile under the state's surveillance program.

West Nile also showed up in mosquitoes in Buckingham Township this week.

Bucks County is listed as a hot zone for West Nile by the state Department of Environmental Protection. 

Two people in Bucks were sickened by West Nile last year.

For additional information about adult mosquitoes and West Nile Virus, please go tohttp://www.westnile.state.pa.us/. The Bucks County Department of Health can be reached at 215-345-3318.