As of 7/29/2024 we have had four mosquito sampling sites test positive for West Nile virus in Youngwood, West Newton, Rostraver, and New Kensington. Additionally, one site in New Florence tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus. Additional trapping has been conducted at all of the mosquito virus positive sites to see if viruses were more widespread.
All residents of nearby virus positive mosquitoes were notified along with their municipalities/townships/cities/boroughs. Areas with standing water within these areas have been treated with larvicide to help prevent mosquitoes merging into adults.
Historically, mid-August to mid-September is the peak time when we see human infection of West Nile Virus. We recommend avoiding spending time outside at dusk and dawn. If the public chooses to be outside, they should wear pants and long sleeved shirts and/or mosquito repellents. As well as by eliminating any breeding habitat by dumping out any containers that may be holding standing water and treating anything that cannot be dumped out with BTI mosquito dunks or bits.
Trapping will continue until October 3, 2024.
As staff of your municipality, you may be aware of a problem area or issue, such as a woodland pool, a pile of waste tires, or abandoned pools of which we are unaware. Please feel free to notify us of these matters when you become aware of them. We are here to help.
Ticks in our county have been testing positive for Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis. Please lick on the button below for a fact sheet on how to prevent tick bites and what to do if you have one.
