3 More West Nile Mosquitoes Found In Bensalem

BENSALEM, PA — Three more mosquitoes carrying the potentially dangerous West Nile virus have been captured in Bensalem, health officials report.

The mosquitoes were reported on Tuesday by Pennsylvania's West Nile Control Program. That brings this season's total of mosquitoes testing positive for the virus to three in the township and 10 throughout Bucks County.

In addition to Bensalem, mosquitoes with West Nile have been captured in Bristol, Upper Southampton and Warminster. No human infections have been reported in Bucks County.

West Nile is most commonly spread to people by mosquito bites. About one in five people infected with West Nile develop a fever and other symptoms, and about one in 150 develop serious, sometimes fatal illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

West Nile can cause encephalitis, or swelling of the brain, in those extreme cases.

While the risk of becoming ill from a bite by a mosquito carrying West Nile is low, officials urge residents to take precautions, like using repellent and removing standing water from their property.

West Nile virus appeared for the first time in Pennsylvania in birds, mosquitoes and a horse in 2000.