Two Franklin County Mosquito Samples Test Positive for West Nile Virus

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Vector Management has reported two mosquito samples collected in Franklin County as testing positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). One positive sample was collected from one trap in Quincy Township and one was collected in Southampton Township. 

The Franklin County Planning Department’s WNV Program and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Vector Management collected samples from July 1, 2019 through July 18, 2019. At this time last year (July 18, 2018), Franklin County had 43 positive samples.

Samples were collected from the following municipalities:  Antrim Township, Chambersburg Borough, Fannett Township, Greencastle Borough, Greene Township, Guilford Township, Hamilton Township, Letterkenny Township, Lurgan Township, Mercersburg Borough, Metal Township, Mont Alto Borough, Montgomery Township, Orrstown Borough, Peters Township, Quincy Township, Shippensburg Borough, Southampton Township, St. Thomas Township, Warren Township, Washington Township, Waynesboro Borough

Mosquito surveillance, sampling, and larval control is being performed as necessary by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Vector Management and Franklin County Planning Department.

To reduce the mosquito population, it is recommended that residents inspect their yards to reduce yard clutter and remove any sources of stagnant water and, if possible, use mosquito control and repellent products from home and garden centers.

Mosquito surveillance in Franklin County indicates that the most common mosquito species in residential areas come from artificial containers left behind by humans. Artificial containers can be something as small as a bottle cap to something as large as a swimming pool. Additional containers such as tires, buckets and tarps are preferred by mosquitoes because the predators found in nature which would naturally prey on mosquito larvae are not present. During periods of drought, these containers continue to hold water and produce mosquitoes. One bucket or tire in a backyard can produce hundreds to thousands of mosquitoes in a year. Performing a community-wide cleanup will help reduce most mosquito concerns.

May through October, mosquitoes can complete their life cycle within five to seven days. Residents should also use repellents when spending time outside. Individuals who do not prefer repellents may use an electric fan outside as an effective deterrent. Mosquitoes do not like the wind and the fan will help keep them away. As a last resort, residents may purchase insecticides from garden centers and hardware stores to spray in their own yard, but need to be sure to follow the label instructions.

Franklin County residents can contact the Franklin County West Nile Virus Program by calling 717-261-3855 or email jgoetz@franklincountypa.gov.  

For information about West Nile Virus symptoms in humans, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 1-877-PA-Health. 

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