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updated 14 minutes ago
The state teams are scheduled to spray the areas of Mt. Pleasant Borough and Mt. Pleasant Township Thursday night to reduce the mosquito population and the risk of West Nile virus transmission by the bite of an infected insect.
Teams Will Spray DeltaGard, Which Is Clbadified As A Reduced Risk Pesticide By The Environmental Protection Agency And "Should Not Have An Impact On People Or Animals", According To The Department Of Protection of the environment. Truck-mounted, low-volume equipment will be used to apply the product at the rate of 1 ounce per acre.
Spraying will take place between 20 hours. and 23 hours in an area bounded by Clay Avenue to the south, Chestnut Street to the east, the intersection of Slope Hill Road and Depot Street to the northeast, North Geary Street northwest and Quarry Street to the west.
"High levels of West Nile virus in the mosquito population in this area have been detected," said Lauren Fraley, Community Relations Coordinator at the South West Regional Office of the DEP. "This, coupled with the density of the human population, makes this area of Westmoreland County a suitable place for spraying."
"People can go to their normal occupations during spraying, but the DEP takes steps to courtesy to avoid groups of people near direct spray. If a person has respiratory problems or is concerned, the DEP recommends staying indoors for about 10 to 15 minutes after the truck pbades. The material goes through the environment very quickly. "
According to the latest data published online, the West Nile virus control program collected 361 mosquito samples in Westmoreland County this year and found that 10 out of 92 were infected with the virus. 19659003] One of these positive samples was collected at Pleasant Township Mountain on July 12. Two positive samples were found in Ligonier Township and one in Latrobe, New Kensington, Vandergrift, Delmont and Derry townships, St. Clair and Penn.
Mosquitoes were also tested positive for West Nile virus in 42 other counties in Pennsylvania – including Allegheny, with 18 positive samples, and Fayette, with seven samples.The highest number is in York County, with 93 positive samples.
Two infections were found in dead birds, one in Somerset and Lebanon counties, but no human infections ine has been discovered in this state.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, all residents in areas where the virus has been identified are at risk of contracting West Nile encephalitis, an infection that can lead to inflammation of the brain.
The DEP suggests several measures to be taken to help prevent mosquito bites:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks on the outside – especially at dawn and at dusk.
- Use an insect repellent with an active ingredient such as DEET, picardin oil or lemon eucalyptus essence. Consult a doctor on issues regarding the use of repellent on children; repellent is not recommended for children under two months old.
- Make sure mosquito nets fit snugly over doors and windows.
The DEP also recommends that residents eliminate pools of stagnant water, which can be used as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, or treat water with Bti, a bacterium that kills mosquito larvae and that can be purchased at DIY stores. .
Jeff Himler is editor-in-chief of Tribune-Review. You can contact Jeff at 724-836-6622, [email protected] or via Twitter @jhimler_news.
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