Aspinwall man positive for West Nile virus, 1st case in Allegheny County since 2018

A man from Aspinwall has tested positive for West Nile virus – the first known human case in Allegheny County since 2018, according to the county health department.

The man is in his 60s, spokesman Chris Togneri said, although information about his health was not immediately available. He said the health department had set up additional mosquito traps around the district and treated some areas.

Mosquitoes across the county have tested positive throughout the summer. More recently, pesticide treatments were rolled out in parts of the West End and North Side on Friday. Earlier this year, the areas around the South Side Flats and South Side Slopes as well as hilltop neighborhoods like Arlington, Beltzhoover, Mt. Washington and others were also covered.

The treatment is done with a pesticide called Zenivex E20, which is not harmful to humans or animals. It is usually sprayed from a low volume, truck mounted sprayer and performed in the evening.

Most people – 70% to 80% – who contract West Nile do not develop symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 20% of people might have a fever and other symptoms like headaches and body aches, joint pain, vomiting, or the like. An even smaller number of people – around 1% – will develop neurological disease caused by inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues.

There have been around 50 human cases of West Nile over the past 20 years, according to the Department of Health: five in 2018, two in 2017, three in 2015, one in 2014, 2011 and 2007, six in 2005, 11 in 2003 and 21 cases in 2002.