Rates of West Nile Virus increasing throughout Philadelphia region

The rates of West Nile Virus are increasing throughout the Philadelphia region.

This is placing people at significant risk for the mosquito-borne illness.

No one has tested positive for West Nile in Pennsylvania this year. However, officials say it has been detected in mosquitoes in nearly every Pennsylvania county.

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State statistics show 12 positive samples were collected in Philadelphia, 15 in Chester County and 11 in Delaware County.

To protect yourself, health officials recommend you:

• Wear protective clothing

• Eliminate sources of standing water

• spay insecticide on clothing