Mosquito Control To Prevent West Nile Virus Scheduled Monday Night

WEST CHESTER, PA —The Chester County Health Department scheduled mosquito control treatment spray for Monday, Aug. 26, in the wake of confirmation that multiple mosquito samples that tested positive for West Nile Virus.

The spraying is scheduled from 8 to 11 p.m. in portions of West Goshen, East Goshen and Westtown townships. The new rain date is Tuesday, Aug. 29. The treatment was cancelled Thursday night because the weather conditions were not suitable.

Health officials said anyone living in an area where mosquitoes are infected are at risk.

They said the risk of infection is highest for people who work outside or participate in outdoor activities. Less than 1% of people infected may develop serious illness.

While serious illness can occur in people of any age, people over 60 years of age, people who have received organ transplants, and people with certain medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease are at greatest risk for serious illness.

The process involves a truck-mounted sprayer applying 3.0 ounces of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved product (Zenivex E4 RTU) per acre of land.

The mosquito control treatment becomes inactive in just a few hours, or with sunshine.

Health department officials notified registered beekeepers and residents who are listed as hypersensitive in a designated treatment prior to treatment.
After the spraying is complete, residents can rinse off outdoor furniture or playground equipment before use.

The health department encourages residents to take action on their own property to make it a “Bite-Free Zone.”

For additional information, visit www.chesco.org/mosquitoes.