State officials warn of possible West Nile outbreak
(Harrisburg) — The state Department of Environmental Protection is warning against a possible outbreak of West Nile Virus.
Secretary Patrick McDonnell said 2018 has been a perfect year for mosquitoes that carry the disease, with a wet spring and mostly-dry summer.
He told WITF’s Smart Talk routine tests by his agency have turned up substantially more positive samples of West Nile this year.
“We’re up to over 1,400 positive samples,” he said. “To put that in some perspective, we had 270 at this point last year.”
McDonnell said just under 1,000 positive samples and 60 human cases were discovered in the commonwealth in 2012.
No human cases have been reported so far this year.
DEP will do preventive spraying in areas where a large number of positive samples are found.
McDonnell recommended homeowners clean their gutters and remove standing water from their properties to discourage the spread of mosquitoes.
People can also use bug repellent with DEET and wear long sleeves when they are outside to protect themselves from the virus.
A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.
