Human West Nile Case Reported In Montgomery County

A human case of West Nile virus has been reported in Montgomery County, state officials announced Thursday. Due to confidentiality reasons, officials will not disclose the location of the patient.

Several municipalities in Montgomery and Chester County have sprayed their townships to kill mosquitos after samples tested positive for the virus.

Those areas include Horsham, Phoenixville, Cheltenham, Abington, Montgomery Township, North Wales, and Towamencin, among several others.

This is the sixth human case of the disease this season in Pennsylvania.

On Monday, officials announced three human cases, including one in Montgomery County and another in Chester County. The third was in Cumberland County, according to the Pennsylvania West Nile Control Program.

The departments of Health and Environmental Protection say they strongly recommend that all residents minimize their exposure to mosquitoes.

“There are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones from mosquito-related diseases,” Secretary of Health Karen Murphy said last month when the first human case was reported in Venango County.

Although mosquitoes can bite at any time of day or night, they are most active at dawn and dusk.

“ When outdoors, people can avoid mosquito bites by properly and consistently using DEET-containing insect repellants and covering exposed skin with lightweight clothing. To keep mosquitoes from entering a home, make sure window and door screens are in place and are in good condition, the DEP said.

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) conducts regular surveillance and control to manage mosquito populations around the state.

The mosquitoes that transmit WNV breed in areas with standing and stagnant water. “These areas can include urban catch basins, clogged gutters, discarded tires, poorly maintained swimming pools, flower pots and other types of plastic containers,” the DEP said.