Positive tests for West Nile in Lawrence County

HARRISBURG-- The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) says two tests on mosquitos in Lawrence County have turned positive for the West Nile Virus.  In the DEP's daily briefing of test samples for the disease, two tests revealed evidence of West Nile in the Pulaski Township area. 

According to the DEP, 81 tests came back with positive results across Pennsylvania on Thursday, August 3.  These cases bring the total number of postive tests confirmed in Lawrence County to five for 2012.  Mercer County has only seen three positive results for the year.  The state is mapping the results online.

DEP and County WNV staff are responding with additional surveillance and control as needed.

Individuals can take a number of precautionary measures around their homes to help eliminate mosquito-breeding areas, including:

• Consider wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks when outdoors, particularly when mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, or in areas known for having large numbers of mosquitoes.

• When possible, reduce outdoor exposure at dawn and dusk during peak mosquito periods, usually April through October.

• Use insect repellants according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Dispose of cans, buckets, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar containers that hold water.

• Properly dispose of discarded tires that can collect water. Stagnant water is where most mosquitoes breed.

• Drill holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers.

• Have clogged roof gutters cleaned every year, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug drains.

• Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use.

• Turn over wheelbarrows and don’t let water stagnate in birdbaths.

• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish.

• Make sure screens fit tightly over doors and windows to keep mosquitoes out of homes.

For more information about West Nile virus and the state’s surveillance and control program, visit www.westnile.state.pa.us.

In 2000, West Nile virus appeared for the first time in Pennsylvania in birds, mosquitoes and a horse. To combat the spread of West Nile virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, Pennsylvania has developed a comprehensive network. This network, which covers 42 counties, includes trapping mosquitoes, collecting dead birds and monitoring horses, people and, in past years, sentinel chickens.