Hegins Township is the latest municipality where the virus was detected, according to the state Department of Health.
A positive mosquito sample was collected July 19 in the township. The state DOH reported the results July 24.
Other recent positive samples were collected in Pottsville on July 17 and reported July 24 and collected in Cressona on July 18 and reported Wednesday. The samples are sent to a laboratory for testing before being reported.
POTTSVILLE — The West Nile virus is spreading in Schuylkill County, officials said.
Hegins Township is the latest municipality where the virus was detected, according to the state Department of Health.
A positive mosquito sample was collected July 19 in the township. The state DOH reported the results July 24.
Other recent positive samples were collected in Pottsville on July 17 and reported July 24 and collected in Cressona on July 18 and reported Wednesday. The samples are sent to a laboratory for testing before being reported.
The virus causes flu-like symptoms and can result in encephalitis, which is an inflammation of the brain. Symptoms can show three to 14 days after being bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus, according to a fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Kyle Schutt, the county’s mosquito-borne disease control technician, said Monday that the most recent positive sample was in the central area of Hegins Township.
The recent heavy rain adds to the possibility of the virus spreading, he said.
“I just expect things to keep picking up,” Schutt said.
West Nile has been detected in the county this year in Pottsville, Cressona, Schuylkill Haven and Ringtown boroughs and Hegins, West Mahanoy and Mahanoy townships. Schutt has placed 189 traps to date to catch mosquitoes for testing.
Weather permitting, Schutt said, the DEP will conduct truck spraying to combat the virus in Schuylkill Haven and Cressona. An exact time has not been determined.
“They have had enough positives at different locations. We believe a truck-mounted spray will be the best,” he said.
The virus has been found in 48 out of 67 counties in the state this year. York County has the most positive cases of the virus at 117. The first case this year was reported in South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, on June 21.
The first “probable” human case of the virus was found in an Allegheny County resident earlier this month, the DOH said. The sample was sent to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for testing.
Ten counties have birds that tested positive for the virus: Schuylkill, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, Clearfield, Union, Lebanon, Huntington, Blair and Somerset.
State officials are warning residents to take precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.
“With our recent heavy rains, Pennsylvanians may see an increase in mosquito activity. There are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones from mosquito-related diseases,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said in a statement.
While outside, using a DEET-containing insect replant and wearing light-colored clothing can help, the state said. Making sure a house’s screens fit properly and are in good condition is also important.
“Using a personal insect replant or staying indoors during dawn and dusk will help prevent exposure to mosquitoes,” state DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell said.
Mosquitoes can bite during any time but are most active during dusk and dawn.
Removing stagnant water, where mosquitoes breed, can help reduce the spread of the virus.
• Remove tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, discarded tires or any object that could collect standing water. Drill holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers.
• Have roof gutters cleaned every year, particularly if the leaves tend to clog the drains.
• Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
• Do not let water stagnate in birdbaths.
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools and remove standing water from pool covers.
• Use landscaping to eliminate standing water on a property.
• Treat standing water that cannot be eliminated with Bti products sold at outdoor supply, home improvement and other stores. Bti is a natural product that kills mosquito larvae but is safe for people, pets, aquatic life and plants.
Source: The state Department of Health and state Department of Environmental Protection
https://www.republicanherald.com/news/west-nile-virus-found-in-hegins-township-1.2367753
A positive mosquito sample was collected July 19 in the township. The state DOH reported the results July 24.
Other recent positive samples were collected in Pottsville on July 17 and reported July 24 and collected in Cressona on July 18 and reported Wednesday. The samples are sent to a laboratory for testing before being reported.
POTTSVILLE — The West Nile virus is spreading in Schuylkill County, officials said.
Hegins Township is the latest municipality where the virus was detected, according to the state Department of Health.
A positive mosquito sample was collected July 19 in the township. The state DOH reported the results July 24.
Other recent positive samples were collected in Pottsville on July 17 and reported July 24 and collected in Cressona on July 18 and reported Wednesday. The samples are sent to a laboratory for testing before being reported.
The virus causes flu-like symptoms and can result in encephalitis, which is an inflammation of the brain. Symptoms can show three to 14 days after being bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus, according to a fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Kyle Schutt, the county’s mosquito-borne disease control technician, said Monday that the most recent positive sample was in the central area of Hegins Township.
The recent heavy rain adds to the possibility of the virus spreading, he said.
“I just expect things to keep picking up,” Schutt said.
West Nile has been detected in the county this year in Pottsville, Cressona, Schuylkill Haven and Ringtown boroughs and Hegins, West Mahanoy and Mahanoy townships. Schutt has placed 189 traps to date to catch mosquitoes for testing.
Weather permitting, Schutt said, the DEP will conduct truck spraying to combat the virus in Schuylkill Haven and Cressona. An exact time has not been determined.
“They have had enough positives at different locations. We believe a truck-mounted spray will be the best,” he said.
The virus has been found in 48 out of 67 counties in the state this year. York County has the most positive cases of the virus at 117. The first case this year was reported in South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, on June 21.
The first “probable” human case of the virus was found in an Allegheny County resident earlier this month, the DOH said. The sample was sent to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for testing.
Ten counties have birds that tested positive for the virus: Schuylkill, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, Clearfield, Union, Lebanon, Huntington, Blair and Somerset.
State officials are warning residents to take precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.
“With our recent heavy rains, Pennsylvanians may see an increase in mosquito activity. There are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones from mosquito-related diseases,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said in a statement.
While outside, using a DEET-containing insect replant and wearing light-colored clothing can help, the state said. Making sure a house’s screens fit properly and are in good condition is also important.
“Using a personal insect replant or staying indoors during dawn and dusk will help prevent exposure to mosquitoes,” state DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell said.
Mosquitoes can bite during any time but are most active during dusk and dawn.
Removing stagnant water, where mosquitoes breed, can help reduce the spread of the virus.
• Remove tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, discarded tires or any object that could collect standing water. Drill holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers.
• Have roof gutters cleaned every year, particularly if the leaves tend to clog the drains.
• Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
• Do not let water stagnate in birdbaths.
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools and remove standing water from pool covers.
• Use landscaping to eliminate standing water on a property.
• Treat standing water that cannot be eliminated with Bti products sold at outdoor supply, home improvement and other stores. Bti is a natural product that kills mosquito larvae but is safe for people, pets, aquatic life and plants.
Source: The state Department of Health and state Department of Environmental Protection
https://www.republicanherald.com/news/west-nile-virus-found-in-hegins-township-1.2367753
