Buy photo Penn State Extension Administrator of the West Nile virus program Thomas Smith shows the trap used to collect mosquitoes for research purposes. A mixture of straw, sour milk and tap water is fermented for a week before being used to attract mosquitoes to the trap, where they are sucked by a fan, frozen and studied. Dawn J. Sagert photo.
Thirty to 40 more traps are waiting for testing, Smith said, and he expects more positives.
"With the trend we see, the situation in West Nile will continue until at least September," he said.
All hurricanes or tropical storms that crank up until October could also ensure this trend, he added.
More: Storms, heat warnings, compete with fireworks on July 4 in York
Perfect Conditions: Smith says mosquito populations have increased since 2008, after the collapse of the housing market
Abandoned houses and stagnant water in unused pools have caused an increase in the number of mosquitoes
They gather in water in containers as small as a bottle cap or large. According to a press release, a pool and artificial hiding places like tires, buckets and tarpaulins, because their natural predators are missing.
For more information: program
Only one of these containers can produce hundreds of thousands of mosquitoes in one year, says press release
This summer, weather conditions also contributed to the high reproduction rate
. began Wes T Test Nile in early May, only one batch was tested positive, said Smith.
But the increase in temperature accelerates the maturation of mosquitoes, which lasts only five to seven days. the virus is more active in warmer conditions, he said.
The county also has a lot of rain recently, which is another factor
Under these conditions, 10 female mosquitoes can create a population of more than one In 1965, last year, the Rain and heat have made York County the third state in the state for positive mosquito samples. a breeding ground for West Nile virus
No human cases of West Nile virus have been reported this year, but by the end of September, with more affected populations and more people out, communities are more sensitive.
Mosquito spraying: [1 9459032] The program was launched in 2000 – a year after the detection of West Nile in North America – and since then staff have worked to control the population, monitor hot spots and determine the areas most at risk of human infection. Some areas will be treated with an insecticide – last week the Township of Lower Windsor, and this week the townships of West Manheim and Penn said:
To control the adult population, the insecticide will be applied at 0, 62 ounce to the acre, concentrations which According to a statement, [traduction] "1965-2004", program staff will spray Wednesday, July 11 in the townships of Penn and West Manheim. If the weather or unexpected events result in a cancellation, the rain date will be Thursday, July 12th.
Signs will be posted to remind residents on the day of watering.
In Penn Township, the target area will be residential neighborhoods. close to Westminster Avenue and Baugher Drive, including Homewood and Plum Creek, according to the release.
The West Manheim Spray will cover residential areas near the Oak Hills, Fairview and Sunset roads, including SpriTrust Lutheran, The Village of Utz. Terrace, the states of liberation.
For more information: Florida tests mosquitoes infected with bacteria to control Zika
For more information: financement mosquito
Prevention: Smith emphasized the importance of cleaning around houses and removing any vessel that may contain stagnant water to prevent the spread mosquitoes.
To avoid mosquito bite on the outside, Smith recommends using electric repellents and fans, which keep them away because they can not fly in the wind. Residents can also get an insecticide to spray on their building sites, release states.
For those who may be infected with West Nile virus, Smith warns that symptoms are common, starting with headaches and fever. The best advice is to go to the doctor as soon as possible because it can be treated when it is caught early, he said.
If the virus progresses untreated, in some cases it can cause encephalitis – an infection that causes inflammation of the brain. This can be serious, Smith said, because there is no treatment other than the body's natural defenses. The weakened immune system of older adults and children may be at higher risk of death.
County residents can report their concerns with mosquitoes via the West Nile website at westnile.state.pa.us, call the West Nile Virus Program at 717-840-2375, or send an email to program at [email protected]
The State Department of Health, at 1-877-PA-Health, has more information on the symptoms of West Nile virus and Zika virus in humans .
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