Upper Dublin Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus

Montgomery County Health Department has been testing rigorously for West Nile Virus throughout the county this summer. As of the August 28 testing, there were 71 mosquito samples and six again specimens that tested positive for WNV.

During this round of testing, a mosquito sample in Upper Dublin Township tested positive for WNV. Tests in Abington Township also came back positive during this round of testing.

The first positive test in the county was reported on May 17 this year, as compared to June 9 in 2011.

WNV is transmitted to people by infected mosquitoes. In the United States, most people are infected from June through September, and the number of these infections usually peaks in mid-August.

As previously reported by Patch, approximately one in five people who are infected with West Nile virus will develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Less than 1% will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues).  

People over 50 years of age and those with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and organ transplants, are at greater risk for serious illness.

There are no medications to treat, or vaccines to prevent, West Nile virus infection. People with milder illnesses typically recover on their own, although symptoms may last for several weeks.

In more severe cases, patients often need to be hospitalized to receive supportive treatment, such as intravenous fluids, pain medication, and nursing care. Anyone who has symptoms that cause concern should contact a health care provider.

To find out more information about West Nile Virus, visit the Health Department webpage atwww.health.montcopa.org. Residents can also receive information about planned spraying for mosquitos by signing up for ReadyNotifyPA at montco.alertpa.org.