Positive Mosquito Count for West Nile Virus Lead DEP, Southeastern PA Counties to Ramp up Treatment ...( NORRISTOWN Pa. Aug. 18 -- Due to...),Health

NORRISTOWN, Pa., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Due to an exceptionally high number of West Nile virus-infected mosquitoes in southeastern Pennsylvania, the Department of Environmental Protection and its county partners will be stepping up efforts this week to combat the mosquito populations that have -- or are most likely to carry -- the virus.

While only one human case of the West Nile virus has been confirmed this year (a 27-year-old Montgomery County woman), DEP's southeast regional director said the conditions merit additional treatments.

"With nearly 70 percent of the state's infected mosquitoes here in the southeast region, we're taking coordinated action to reduce this threat," said Joseph A. Feola. "In order to protect the public, DEP is temporarily reassigning certified pesticide applicators from other parts of the state so that we can be more aggressive in our treatment efforts."

Residents of Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties should expect more frequent mosquito sprayings during the evening hours by state and county West Nile virus staff.

Only those areas with mosquitoes that are capable of carrying the virus will be sprayed.

Spraying activities conducted by DEP will be reported to the media and will be posted at http://www.westnile.state.pa.us/NewsReleases.

Typically, spraying for mosquitoes occurs during the evening in targeted areas with truck-mounted equipment, which dispenses Biomist 3 + 15, a permethrin insecticide product, at a rate of 0.75 ounces per acre.

Certain mosquito species carry the West Nile virus, which, when transmitted to people, can cause West Nile encephalitis, an infection that can result in an inflammation of the brain.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all residents in areas where virus activity has been identified are at risk of getting West Nile
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