Pennsylvania's West Nile Control Program announced Wednesday that two mosquitoes in East Whiteland tested positive for West Nile Virus.
There were 11 positive samples from Chester County overall:
- Chester - East Bradford Twp
- Chester - East Goshen Twp
- Chester - East Whiteland Twp (2)
- Chester - Penn Twp (3)
- Chester - Upper Uwchlan Twp (2)
- Chester - Uwchlan Twp
- Chester - West Whiteland Twp
According to the West Nile Control Program, which operates under the state Department of Environmental Protection, the virus has been found in all 40 counties it monitors.
The agency's website gives advice on how to slow the spread of the virus. It also offers this note on how to avoid contracting the virus:
The principle mosquito species infected with West Nile Virus is most active the immediate two hours after dusk and at dawn.
The Centers for Disease Control answers frequently asked questions about West Nile Virus, including a rundown on related diseases:
Q. What are West Nile encephalitis, West Nile meningitis and “neuroinvasive disease” and West Nile fever?
A. The most severe type of disease due to a person being infected with West Nile virus is sometimes called “neuroinvasive disease” because it affects a person’s nervous system. Specific types of neuroinvasive disease include: West Nile encephalitis, West Nile meningitis or West Nile meningoencephalitis. Encephalitis refers to an inflammation of the brain, meningitis is an inflammation of the membrane around the brain and the spinal cord, and meningoencephalitis refers to inflammation of the brain and the membrane surrounding it. West Nile Fever is another type of illness that can occur in people who become infected with the virus. It is characterized by fever, headache, tiredness, aches and sometimes rash. Although the illness can be as short as a few days, even healthy people have been sick for several weeks.
