2 Positive West Nile Samples Found In West Chester

WEST CHESTER, PA — The latest rounds of West Nile Virus testing found positive samples in 22 communities across Chester County, including two West Chester.

The samples came from five different tests that have been done by the Department of Health's West Nile Control Program.

The testing is done as part of routine surveillance for the virus. Mosquitoes are trapped around the county in breeding areas and are tested daily.

The following towns had positive samples Wednesday, the Pennsylvania's West Nile Control Program announced:

• Spring City (4)
• West Chester (2)
• Phoenixville
• East Vincent (2)
• North Coventry (4)
• Uwchlan (4)
• Upper Uwchlan
• Oxford
• Parkesburg
• Pennsbury
• South Coatesville
• Willistown
• Tredyffrin (4)
• Easttown
• Birmingham (2)
• East Goshen (2)
• East Whiteland
• Kennett
• East Marlborough
• Malvern
• West Goshen
• West Whiteland

According to the CDC, about one in five people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About one out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness. You can reduce your risk of West Nile Virus by using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants to prevent mosquito bites, the CDC said.

West Nile virus appeared for the first time in Pennsylvania in birds, mosquitoes and a horse in 2000.

It is most commonly spread to humans by infected mosquitoes. It can cause febrile illness, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord), according to the CDC.

Image via Shutterstock