Mosquito Sample Tests Positive For West Nile Virus In Upper Merion

UPPER MERION, PA — Three mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile Virus in Montgomery County recently, including one in Upper Merion, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has confirmed.

Two of the samples were announced on July 12 - in Upper Merion Township and Pottstown - and one was announced on June 29, in Cheltenham Township.

Officials said that state and county environmental staff are responding with additional surveillance and control as needed.

The risk of being infected with West Nile from a mosquito is very low, officials said, but residents are still urged to take simple precautions, like using repellent and removing standing water from their property.

West Nile Virus typically causes fever but can lead to neurological illness in extremely rare cases.

For more details on what residents can do to limit mosquito populations and protect themselves from the virus, see here.

Patch file photo