West Nile Mosquito Reported In Warminster

WARMINSTER, PA — A mosquito captured in Warminster has tested positive for the potentially dangerous West Nile virus.

The mosquito was reported on Thursday by Pennsylvania's West Nile Control Program. It is believed to be the third mosquito carrying West Nile found in Bucks County this season, after one was reported in Bristol and another in Upper Southampton last week.

No human infections in Bucks County have been reported.

West Nile is most commonly spread to people by mosquito bites. About one in five people infected with West Nile develop a fever and other symptoms, and about one in 150 develop serious, sometimes fatal illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

West Nile can cause encephalitis, or swelling of the brain, in those extreme cases.

While the risk of being infected with West Nile from a mosquito is low, officials urge residents to take precautions, like using repellent and removing standing water from their property.
West Nile virus appeared for the first time in Pennsylvania in birds, mosquitoes and a horse in 2000.