Mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus have been detected in over half of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, including Indiana.
The State Department of Environmental Protection said that the illness spreads through mosquito bites, primarily to birds and cows, but also to humans. Symptoms don’t normally show up when a human is infected, but experts say one in about 150 do develop severe symptoms and sometimes die from it. Mild infections include flu-like symptoms that last only a few days. More serious diseases due to the virus can cause inflammation of the brain.
The DEP recommends Pennsylvanians wear long sleeves when mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk and use insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil. The department also suggests that you dispose of any standing water, like in birdbaths or discarded tires, and keeping swimming pools clean with chlorine and disposing of any water that collects on pool covers.
Comments