Pennsylvania First West Nile Virus Cases — The Pennsylvania Department of Health has reported the likely first West Nile virus cases this year in Montgomery and York counties, says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129)
The departments of Health and Environmental Protection are urging residents to minimize their exposure to mosquitoes.
The mosquitoes that transmit the virus breed in areas with standing and stagnant water. These areas can include catch basins, clogged gutters, discarded tires, poorly maintained swimming pools, flower pots and other types of plastic containers.
Simple steps to eliminate standing water around the home include:
- Removing tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, discarded tires or any object that could collect standing water.
- Having roof gutters cleaned every year, particularly if the leaves from nearby trees have a tendency to clog the drains.
- Turning over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
- Aerating ornamental pools or stocking them with fish.
- Cleaning and chlorinating swimming pools and removing standing water from pool covers.
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) conducts regular surveillance and control to manage mosquito populations around the state. So far, DEP has detected West Nile Virus-infected mosquitoes in 36 counties.
For information on West Nile Virus and how to prevent its spread, click here.