Westmoreland County free of West Nile virus as 2021 season nears end; Allegheny spraying set

No cases of West Nile virus have been found so far this year in Westmoreland County, which means officials haven’t had to apply spray to combat the mosquitoes that can transmit the disease.

The Westmoreland Conservation District, which traps mosquitoes to be tested for signs of the disease, reports that all insects sent this year from the county to the state Department of Environmental Protection tested negative for the virus. In addition, no county resident has tested positive for the disease this year.

Mosquito populations are regularly monitored at up to 70 locations throughout the county. Since that program has been in place, only two Westmoreland residents have tested positive for the virus — one each in 2017 and 2018.

Last year, one positive mosquito sample was collected in Greensburg.

In Allegheny County, several samples of mosquitoes collected in Pittsburgh and in Wilkinsburg this year tested positive for West Nile. County health officials sprayed nontoxic mosquito pesticide in areas of the city’s West End and scheduled additional spraying in the North Side and Brighton Heights.

Another round of spraying is planned for 8 to 11 p.m. Monday in Wilkinsburg and in several Pittsburgh neighborhoods, including Garfield, Point Breeze and Homewood. If it rains, the spraying will be moved to Tuesday.

The risk for spread of the disease by mosquitoes drops off by the end of September because of the insect’s biology, according to state officials.

Most people who are bitten by a mosquito infected with West Nile virus don’t suffer serious consequences. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports between 70% and 80% of people who get the virus won’t develop symptoms.

About 20% of those infected will develop a fever with a headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or a rash.

The most rare but severe cases can lead to inflammation involving the brain and central nervous system, including encephalitis, meningitis or meningoencephalitis. Most people fully recover.

Westmoreland Conservation officials recommend residents take steps to help control West Nile virus by eliminating scrap tires or other outdoor spaces where water can collect and provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes.