PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Officials in Delaware County have identified their first human case of West Nile virus this year and are stepping up efforts to reduce the mosquito population, which is known for spreading the virus.
It’s not uncommon to have a few cases of West Nile in the county each year, according to Delaware County Health Department director Lora Werner.
“Most people who get infected with West Nile virus aren’t going to show any symptoms, but 1 in 5 will show something,” Werner said.
“Maybe it will be a fever. It might be body aches and pains, could even be vomiting or a rash.”
Zachary Babel, the coordinator of the county’s mosquito-borne disease program, said in an effort to keep those human cases down, they are spraying popular mosquito known areas in Brookhaven, Upland, Parkside, and Chester City.
“These are places with standing water that mosquitoes are attracted to,” he said.
“Through our weekly mosquito surveillance in our program, which occurs from mid-April through the end of September, we have observed that there is a level of risk for human infection of West Nile virus due to the mosquitoes we collected and had tested at the state lab.”
Babel also urged residents to remember the “three D’s” to help protect themselves: drain standing water, dress in clothing that covers the body, and defend by using EPA-registered insect repellent.