The Department of Environmental Protection’s West Nile Virus Program Wednesday reported three more people have tested positive for West Nile Virus-- 2 in Franklin County and 1 in York County.

This brings to 4 the total number of human cases reported so far this season.  On July 31 the program reported one person in Allegheny County had tested positive.

Certain mosquito species carry the West Nile virus, which can cause humans to contract West Nile encephalitis, an infection that can result in an inflammation of the brain. According to the Department of Health, all residents in areas where virus activity has been identified are at risk of contracting West Nile encephalitis.

DEP reported West Nile Virus was found in one new county this week-- Clarion.

The other counties with positive mosquito or bird samples include-- Adams, Allegheny, Beaver, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Bucks, Cambria, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Mifflin, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Union, Washington, Westmoreland, Wyoming and York.

Schuylkill County Spraying Aug. 20

The Department of Environmental Protection’s West Nile Virus Program Friday announced it will conduct a mosquito control operation to reduce high populations of mosquitoes on Monday, August 20 in the City of Pottsville, Schuylkill County.

Residential and recreational areas in the city will be sprayed for adult mosquitoes.

Truck-mounted, Ultra Low Volume (ULV) spray equipment will be utilized to spray Duet at a rate of 1.0 oz/acre. This product is designed to provide quick, effective control of adult mosquito populations. The spraying will begin late in the evening.

Weather conditions and other unexpected events (such as lowered mosquito populations) could delay or cancel this spray operation. The rain date for this application is Tuesday, August 21, 2018.

Other Spraying Events

Other upcoming spraying events are listed on the West Nile Virus Program homepage (lower right) or Click Here to check on spraying in other parts of the state.

To learn about precautions you can take and for more on the state's surveillance and control program, please visit the West Nile Virus website.

NewsClips:

3 People Test Positive For West Nile Virus In Franklin, York Counties

First Human Case Of West Nile Reported In York County For 2018

Barcaskey: Pennsylvania In  Midst Of Tick Infestation

Venesky: New Tick, New Threat?

Crable: New Asian Tick Shows Up In PA, Officials Worry About Livestock

Warming Climate Puts PA Summer Recreation At Risk

Mosquito Spraying Wednesday In Manchester, York County

Mosquito Spraying Planned In York County

[Posted: August 15, 2018]

8/20/2018