West Nile confirmed in Dauphin County

(Harrisburg) — West Nile virus has already been confirmed in a mosquito in Dauphin County.

No humans have West Nile in the county, but a mosquito sample collected May 13th in Lower Paxton Township confirmed the virus has arrived.

County Commissioner Jeff Haste says the County’s Control program will increase surveillance and work to limit the spread of the virus.

Warm, humid temperatures seen recently is partly to blame for the early sighting, say experts.

“This is definitely an early incidence of West Nile. However, it’s not the earliest that we’ve ever had. Typically in Pennsylvania, we begin to see West Nile emerge in the mosquito population in mid-June,”Amanda Witman, a state Department of Environmental Protection spokeswoman.

Witman says it’s important to try to eliminate any standing water outdoors, because mosquitoes can breed in as little as a tablespoon of water.

“Take stock of your property and eliminate any and all areas of standing water. Mosquitoes are able to breed in as little as a tablespoon of standing water so any standing water is bad standing water.”

She adds dawn and dusk are often the time when the most mosquitoes are out, and warns seniors and others vulnerable to West Nile to take extra caution at those times.

Older adults and those with weakened immune systems are considered most at risk.

Insect repellant is recommended, and long pants and long sleeves can also help protect from mosquito bites, thus helping control West Nile virus.