Delaware County sprays for mosquitoes after West Nile virus detected

LANSDOWNE, Pa. (WPVI) -- Health officials in Delaware County are spraying for mosquitoes after detecting several populations carrying West Nile virus.

The Delaware County Health Department collected mosquito samples from areas including Newtown Square, where standing water was found to be teeming with larvae.

"Right where my dipper is, there's something there. That's a mosquito larva, believe it or not," said Zachary Babel of the Delaware County Health Department while inspecting a water dish.

Officials say the virus, which can cause illness in humans, has not yet resulted in any known human cases in the county this year. However, the presence of infected mosquitoes has prompted action.

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"There was a certain level of West Nile virus mosquito activity and it posed a risk for human infection," Babel said. He described symptoms of the virus as "fever, chills, could be headaches, general fatigue."

In response, the county sprayed several hotspots Monday night, including Reservoir Park in Lansdowne, in an effort to reduce the mosquito population and prevent potential infections.

"You want to keep people healthy, you know?" said Lansdowne resident Michael Logue, who noted he's been bitten before but never became ill. "I'm not a young man, I'm like 66 years old, and that might affect my health more adversely than someone younger than me."

To help residents protect themselves, health officials recommend following the "3 D's": dress in long sleeves, defend with mosquito spray, and drain standing water around the home.

"If you might have a flower pot in a saucer or a bird bath or maybe there's kid toys or pool, anything that you can eliminate standing water, that gets rid of mosquito breeding habitats," Babel said.

Mosquito spraying is also scheduled in neighboring Montgomery and Camden counties.