Seven Mosquitoes Test Positive For West Nile Virus In Horsham

Seven mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile Virus in Horsham and spraying to reduce the spread of the virus has already been scheduled, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection announced on Wednesday.

In total, 71 new positive samples were announced throughout the state Wednesday, the largest announcement yet this year.

The Horsham sites are located in Lukens Park, Graeme Park, Kohler Park and Sawyers Way open space areas, according to State Rep. Todd Stephens (R-151).

“Because of this, the PA Department of Environmental Protection’s West Nile Virus control program will conduct an Ultra Low Volume (ULV) mosquito adulticide spray in portions of Horsham Township,” Stephens announced on his Facebook page Wednesday afternoon.

The spraying is scheduled for sometime in the evening of Tuesday, August 11, according to Stephens. A rain date is scheduled for August 12.

The map above outlines the planned spraying area.

Locally, there were five samples in Bucks County, three in Chester County, four in Delaware County, and eight in Montgomery County that tested positive.

The other Montgomery County positive samples were found in Abington, Upper Merion, and Upper Moreland.

The Horsham samples were found at an undisclosed location, although generally “mosquito pool” is the most detail that is released.

Several local areas, including Abington and Phoenixville, have been sprayed in 2015 due to concerns over mosquitoes and West Nile Virus.

Residents in Phoenixville previously expressed concerns about the spraying of Permanone RTU, citing environmental risks.

The Chester County Health Department maintained that the chemicals were sprayed in safe quantities.

West Nile was first confirmed in Pennsylvania in 2000 when it was found in a horse, mosquitoes, and birds.

There have been nearly 40,000 cases of West Nile in the United States since then, and 119 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

There has only been one cases of West Nile in a human reported in Pennsylvania in 2015, although many western states have had more positive tests.

Positive bird tests are much rarer than positive mosquito tests. The DEP urges all residents to report dead bird sightings.

For more information on West Nile Virus, and how to help prevent mosquito populations from increasing artificially in your neighborhood, please see previous Patch coverage.

Here is the full list of locations in Pennsylvania that announced positive tests on Wednesday:

• Adams - Abbottstown Boro

• Adams - Cumberland Twp

• Adams - Gettysburg Boro (4)

• Adams - Hamilton Twp

• Adams - Oxford Twp (4)

• Adams - Straban Twp

• Allegheny - Monroeville Boro

• Allegheny - Pittsburgh City (4)

• Bucks - Newtown Twp

• Bucks - Warminster Twp (3)

• Bucks - Warrington Twp (3)

• Bucks - Warwick Twp

• Bucks - Yardley Boro

• Chester - Phoenixville Boro (2)

• Chester - Tredyffrin Twp

• Dauphin - Harrisburg City

• Delaware - Concord Twp

• Delaware - Middletown Twp

• Delaware - Radnor Twp

• Delaware - Thornbury Twp

• Franklin - Chambersburg Boro (2)

• Franklin - Washington Twp

• Lancaster - Conoy Twp

• Lancaster - East Donegal Twp (2)

• Lancaster - West Hempfield Twp

• Lebanon - Jonestown Boro

• Lebanon - Lebanon City

• Lebanon - North Lebanon Twp

• Lehigh - Upper Saucon Twp

• Luzerne - Hunlock Twp

• Montgomery - Abington Twp

• Montgomery - Horsham Twp (4)

• Montgomery - Upper Merion Twp (2)

• Montgomery - Upper Moreland Twp

• Northumberland - Ralpho Twp

• Philadelphia - Philadelphia City (10)

• Westmoreland - New Florence Boro

• York - Fairview Twp

• York - Manchester Twp (2)

• York - Spring Garden Twp

• York - Springettsbury Twp