West Nile Virus Threat Increasing In Pittsburgh: Health Department

PITTSBURGH, PA — More mosquito samples collected in city neighborhoods have tested positive for West Nile Virus, prompting the Allegheny County Health Department to plan treatments for the affected communities.

Spraying will occur Monday from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. in Allegheny Commons, Fineview, Garfield, Perry South, Morningside and the Hill District.

Treatments will involve the Zenevex E20 pesticide, classified by the Environmental Protection agency as a low-risk insecticide that is not harmful to humans or pets. Crews will use an ultra-low volume sprayer to distribute the pesticide.

A Baldwin resident last week became the first person in Pennsylvania to contract the virus this year, the health department announced. The unidentified person had to be hospitalized for fever and weakness.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 70 and 80 percent of people who become infected with West Nile virus do not develop symptoms and are not impacted. Approximately 20 percent who become infected will develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash.

Most people with symptoms can recover on their own, but the virus can cause severe symptoms of neurological illness caused by inflammation of the brain or spinal cord.