4 People Catch West Nile Virus In Philly; The City's First Human Cases This Year

PHILADELPHIA — Several people have caught West Nile Virus in Philadelphia, marking the city's first-known human cases of the mosquito-borne illness this year, officials said Friday.

Four human cases have been confirmed. Health officials did not disclose their conditions or any identifying information.

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West Nile Virus is a neurologic infection. It's most commonly spread to humans through a bite from an infected mosquito.

Most people with the virus don't develop symptoms, but 1 in 5 will get a fever or flu-like symptoms, according to health officials. One in 150 people with the virus develop inflammation to the brain or spine, which can be deadly.

People of any age can catch the virus, but those 50 and older are most likely to develop serious infection.

"If you or a family member is experiencing unexplained headaches, weakness, and fatigue, see your primary care provider," the Philadelphia Department of Public Health said in a statement.

West Nile Virus in mosquitos has been prevalent this summer — partially because of rainy conditions that produce puddles and standing water, where mosquitos breed. This year in Philadelphia, over 100 pools of captured mosquitos have tested positive for the virus.

So far this summer, the City has treated more than 50,000 storm drain inlets with larvicide to stop mosquito breeding, officials said.

Human cases are more rare, but there have been 407 confirmed human cases of the virus this year — including 285 people who developed neuro-invasive disease, according to the CDC's latest data.

City health officials are encouraging people to take steps to prevent West Nile Virus from spreading.

"We all have a role in preventing the spread of West Nile Virus," said Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson, Philadelphia's health commissioner. "And it's easy to do: Wear mosquito repellent and dump out standing water."

The most effective way to prevent the spread is to keep mosquitos from breeding on your property, officials said:

• Anything that can hold water can breed mosquitoes, from soda bottle caps to discarded tires. Check your property for these sources of standing water and empty them.
• At least once or twice a week, empty water from flowerpots, pet food and water dishes, birdbaths, swimming pool covers, buckets, barrels, cans and any other items outside your home.
• Empty and store wading pools for kids on their side.
• Check for clogged rain gutters and clean them out.
• Remove unused tires and other items that could collect water.
• Aerate ornamental ponds or stock them with fish.
• Be sure to check for containers or trash in places that may be hard to see, such as under bushes or under your home.
• Keep well-fitted screens on both windows and doors.
• Call the Health Department's Mosquito Complaint hotline at 215-685-9000 to report mosquito problems in your neighborhood. This will trigger an inspection and, if appropriate, treatment.