Human Tests Positive for West Nile in Delco

A human tested positive for the West Nile virus in Delaware County, according to a release from the state health department.

The test case was discovered on Thursday, according to a statement from the PA West Nile Control Program website. This marks the second case of a human testing positive for the virus this summer.

Earlier in the month, some cases of mosquitoes testing positive for the virus in the Delaware County area surfaced.

For more information on the virus, consult the state’s website.

Mosquito samples in 47 counties have been identified with the West Nile virus so far this year. Human cases, including one fatality have been confirmed in Bucks, Centre, Chester, Delaware, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Philadelphia and York counties.

Individuals can take a number of precautionary measures around their homes to help eliminate mosquito-breeding areas, including:

•Dispose of cans, buckets, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar containers that hold water.

•Properly dispose of discarded tires that can collect water. Stagnant water is where most mosquitoes breed.

•Drill holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers.

•Have clogged roof gutters cleaned every year, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug drains.

•Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use.

•Turn over wheelbarrows and don’t let water stagnate in birdbaths.

•Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish.

•Clean and chlorinate swimming pools not in use and remove any water that may collect on pool covers.