“Detecting the first human case serves as a great reminder for Pennsylvanians to take the proper precautions when they are outside or near areas where mosquitoes are prevalent”, Secretary of Health Karen Murphy said. A horse in Washington County has also tested positive for West Nile.
Advertisement
The mosquitoes were collected by the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets on July 22. Health officials have been testing mosquitoes for West Nile virus and have finally produced a positive sample this weekin Kent County.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines the West Nile virus as an arbovirus typically spread by disease carrying mosquitoes.
A total of 1,581 batches of mosquitoes have been tested for West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitic beginning on June 4.
Although mosquitoes can bite at any time of day or night, they are most active at dawn and dusk.
Advertisement
To prevent the transmission of the WNV to humans through mosquito bites, residents are advised to use mosquito repellents made using the ingredient picaridin, N, N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET), Ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate (IR 3535) or oil of lemon eucalyptus. A human case has been confirmed in Venango County. To keep mosquitoes from entering a home, make sure window and door screens are in place and are in good condition. Approximately 1 percent of people who are infected develop severe illness affecting the central nervous system, such as encephalitis or meningitis, which can be fatal.
