September 18, 2020
County Receives First West Nile Virus Positive Mosquito Sample
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Vector Management has reported Franklin County’s first West Nile Virus positive mosquito samples for 2020, which is turning out to be one of the mildest years for the virus on record.
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Vector Management has reported Franklin County’s first mosquito samples positive for West Nile Virus for 2020. To date, two mosquito samples out of 487 collected in Franklin County have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). Last year saw a total of six positive samples collected.
“This is one of the mildest years for West Nile Virus activity since the program started in Franklin County,” said Jason Goetz, Mosquito and Tick Borne Disease Specialist at the Franklin County Planning Department.
The Franklin County Planning Department’s WNV Program and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Vector Management collected two positive samples on September 2, 2020 within the Borough of Chambersburg.
Additional mosquito surveillance, sampling, and larval control are being performed as necessary by Franklin County Planning and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Vector Management.
“We recommend that residents continue to take time to inspect their yards and take a few minutes to clean up, reduce yard clutter, and dump out any sources of stagnant water,” said Goetz.
Residents may also purchase a variety of mosquito control and repellent products from most home and garden centers. Performing a community-wide cleanup will help reduce most mosquito concerns. Stormwater management systems can sometimes contribute to mosquito issues and are also routinely monitored by Franklin County Planning.
Mosquito surveillance in Franklin County indicates that the most common mosquito species in residential areas originates from water in artificial containers left behind by humans. Artificial containers can be something small like a bottle cap to something as large as a swimming pool. Additional containers such as tires, buckets and tarps are preferred by mosquitoes because natural predators are not present to prey on mosquito larvae. 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.
From May through October, mosquitoes can complete their life cycle within five to seven days. Residents should consider using repellents when spending time outside. Individuals who do not prefer to use repellents can use an electric fan since mosquitoes do not like the wind. As a last resort, residents can 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.
For information about West Nile Virus symptoms in humans, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 1-877-PA-Health.
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