Erie County Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 23, 2025

CONTACT:
Steve Oros
Office Administrator
[email protected]
(814) 451-7842

Erie County Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus

Erie, PA – The Erie County Department of Health confirms {that a} mosquito pattern collected within the City of Erie and two mosquito samples collected in Harborcreek Township on July 16, 2025, have examined optimistic for West Nile virus. These are the fourth, fifth and sixth mosquito samples to check optimistic in Erie County in 2025. At this time no human instances have been reported in Erie County.

Additional monitoring for mosquitoes might be accomplished within the areas the place the mosquito teams had been collected. Appropriate management work might be performed, relying on the quantity and varieties of mosquitoes which can be discovered.

Certain species of mosquitoes carry West Nile virus. When transmitted to folks, this virus could cause West Nile encephalitis, an an infection that may end up in an irritation of the mind. Anyone can get the virus, however older adults and folks with compromised immune techniques have the very best threat of creating extreme sickness as a result of their our bodies have a tougher time combating off illness.

The public can scale back the variety of mosquitoes round their dwelling and neighborhood by eliminating standing water, through which mosquitoes can breed, by following these pointers:

• Dispose of any refuse that may maintain water—equivalent to tin cans, containers, and particularly used tires. Tires have develop into crucial mosquito breeding floor within the nation.
• Drill holes within the bottoms of recycling containers and verify uncovered junk piles.
• Clean clogged roof gutters yearly, and verify storm drains, leaky taps, and window wells.
• Empty gathered water from wheelbarrows, boats, cargo trailers, toys, and ceramic pots. If potential, flip them over when not utilizing them.
• Do not permit water to stagnate in birdbaths, decorative swimming pools, water gardens, and swimming swimming pools or their covers. Ornamental swimming pools might be aerated or stocked with fish. Swimming swimming pools needs to be cleaned and chlorinated when not in use.
• Products equivalent to “mosquito dunks” might be obtained from backyard facilities.
• Make positive window and door screens are “bug tight.”
• Use the correct sort of sunshine exterior: incandescent lights appeal to mosquitoes, whereas florescent lights neither appeal to nor repel mosquitoes.
• Stay indoors at daybreak, nightfall, and within the early night when mosquitoes are most energetic. If you have to go outdoor, put on a long-sleeved shirt and lengthy pants.
• Insect repellants with DEET might be utilized (sparingly) to uncovered pores and skin and can deter mosquitoes from biting. Spray skinny clothes with repellent since mosquitoes can chunk by means of it. Be positive to comply with all instructions on product labels.
• Mosquitoes are repelled by excessive winds, so electrical followers could present some reduction at outside occasions.

More info is out there on the web site www.westnile.state.pa.us.