Lebanon County Officials and DEP Respond to Health Threat Caused by West Nile Virus
HARRISBURG – Federal health officials are reporting that cases of West Nile virus are up 40 percent since last week and the number of reported cases this year may ultimately rival the record years of 2002 and 2003 when more than 250 people nationwide died annually from the virus. On Sunday, the virus claimed the life of a Wilkes-Barre man – the first death caused by West Nile virus in Pennsylvania since 2008.
High populations of adult mosquitoes capable of transmitting West Nile virus have been detected near residential areas in and around South Lebanon Township. In response, the Lebanon County West Nile Virus Program, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), will be conducting truck-mounted ultra-low volume (ULV) mosquito control operations in South Lebanon Township during the late evening of Wednesday, Sept. 5.
DEP will spray residential and recreational areas, using a product that is designed to provide quick knockdown and effective control of adult mosquitoes. Weather conditions and other unexpected events could delay or cancel this spray operation. The rain date for this operation is Monday, Sept. 10.
For additional information, visit:
www.westnile.state.pa.us.
Nationwide so far this year, 1,590 cases of West Nile virus have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and there have been 66 deaths.
State Representative Mauree Gingrich
101st District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Contact: Donna Pinkham
dpinkham@pahousegop.com
717.260.6452