West Nile Virus detected in Butler County mosquitoes
The West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Zelienople, according to the Mercer County Conservation District.
The discovery marks the first time in several years that the virus has been detected in Butler County, according to a Thursday news release from the district.
Zoe Heckathorn, vector management coordinator with the district, said that there are no human cases reported yet.
“It's really just mosquitoes now, and mosquitoes technically get it from birds,” Heckathorn said. “If somebody finds a dead bird randomly, just stay away, and keep your pets away from it.”
According to Heckathorn, West Nile Virus is most common in Western Pennsylvania in August and September, which is when mosquitoes are most active. She said there are not a large number of human cases from year to year, but people are encouraged to try to deter mosquitoes in areas where West Nile Virus has been detected.
Most people do not develop symptoms, but some will have fever, head and body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash, according to the district’s news release.
Severe illness can occur in people of any age, but people age 60 and older are at greater risk. People with certain medical conditions like cancer, diabetes, hypertension and kidney disease, and people who have received organ transplants, are also at greater risk.
Heckathorn said the Mercer County Conservation District will keep monitoring mosquito populations in the region to see if the virus spreads.
“We do testing every year; that's what our program is focused on,” Heckathorn said. “I'm not sure how many positive tests there are a year. There are not many human cases, but there are some mosquito cases.”
Heckathorn said this is the first sample to test positive for the virus in Butler County this year. Additional monitoring will be done in the area where these samples were collected and appropriate control work will be conducted.
