Lindsay Kozloski, West Nile Surveillance Coordinator Fort Jackson Building, Mezzanine 19 South Washington Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370
Phone: 724-852-5278 / Fax: 724-852-5341
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
WEST NILE VIRUS CONTROL PROGRAM:
The West Nile Virus Control Program is a state funded effort to prevent the spread of this virus through an effective education plan, the monitoring of mosquito species and populations, and through the monitoring of WNV presence in birds, animals, and humans. Another vital part of the implementation of this program is the reduction of breeding areas.
WHAT IS WEST NILE VIRUS? West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne disease that can cause encephalitis, a brain inflammation causing the brain to swell.
West Nile Virus is closely related to St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) which is found in the United States and to Kunjin virus (KV) which is found in Australia, some Western Pacific islands and parts of South East Asia. West Nile virus was first detected in North America in 1999 in New York, and in Pennsylvania in 2000. Prior to that it had only been found in Africa, Eastern Europe, and West Asia.
Infected mosquitoes pass the virus onto birds, animals and people. So the best defense against the West Nile Virus is not giving them a place to breed.
West Nile Virus cases in Pennsylvania occur primarily in mid-summer or early fall, although mosquito season is usually April-October.
REMEMBER — WATER SITTING LONGER THAN 4 DAYS CAN PRODUCE MOSQUITOES!
HISTORY:
In 2000, West Nile Virus appeared for the first time in Pennsylvania in birds, mosquitoes and a horse.
To combat the spread of West Nile Virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, Pennsylvania has developed a comprehensive network, which covers all 67 counties, includes trapping mosquitoes, collecting dead birds and monitoring horses, people and sentinel chickens.
In 2004, Greene County tested positive to one infected mosquito. Again in August 2008, one positive mosquito was found. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's
West Nile Virus Program (www.westnile.state.pa.us), with the cooperation of the Greene County West Nile Virus
Program conducted a Thermal Fog mosquito adulticide in effected sewage treatment plant located in Morgan Township. As precausionary measures, also treated were the sewage
treatment plants in Waynesburg Borough and Franklin Township.
(West Nile Virus Press Release and
Mosquito Spraying Press Release).
HOW CAN I GET IT?
The principle route of human infection with West Nile virus is through the bite of an infected mosquito. Additional routes of infection have become apparent during the 2002 West Nile epidemic.
The virus has an incubation period in humans from 3 to 14 days. Most people who are infected with the virus are typically asympomatic however, a small percentage will develop a severe infection. There is no vaccine for West Nile Virus so it is very important to prevent and control the number of mosquitoes around your home.
Other methods of transmission include blood transfusion, organ transplantation, mother-to-child (ingestion of breast milk and transplacental) and occupational. It is important to note that other methods of transmission represent a very small proportion of cases.
Please remeber to protect yourself when you are outdoors since the best way to prevent West Nile is to prevent mosquito bites in the first place.
WEST NILE VIRUS SYMPTOMS:
The principle route of human infection with West Nile virus is through the bite of an infected mosquito. Additional routes of infection have become apparent during the 2002 West Nile epidemic. It is important to note that these other methods of transmission represent a very small proportion of cases. Other methods of transmission include blood transfusion, organ transplantation, mother-to-child (ingestion of breast milk and transplacental) and occupational.
The symptoms of severe infection (West Nile encephalitis or meningitis) include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. It is estimated that 1 in 150 persons infected with the West Nile virus will develop a more severe form of disease.
Symptoms of mild disease will generally last a few days. Symptoms of severe disease may last several weeks, although neurological effects may be permanent.
WEST NILE VIRUS TREATMENT/VACCINE:
There is no specific treatment or vaccine for West Nile virus infection. Most people fully recover from the virus. In more severe cases, intensive supportive therapy is indicated, often involving hospitalization, intravenous fluids, airway management, respiratory support (ventilator), prevention of secondary infections (pneumonia, urinary tract, etc.), and good nursing care.
SURVEILLANCE & PREVENTION OF WEST NILE VIRUS:
To reduce potential mosquito breeding sites, which can contribute to the spread of West Nile virus, the following precautions are recommended that you can do around your home:
Eliminate all low lying areas that allow for standing water.
Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or similar water holding containers that have collected on your property.
Eliminate or cut discarded tires. Stagnant water in tires is where most misquitoes breed.
Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers left outdoors.
Clean gutters annually. Having clogged roof gutters cleaned every year, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up drains. Roof gutters can produce millions of mosquitoes each season.
Turn over any structures such as wading pools when not in use. Stagnant water in a wadin gpool becomes a place for mosquitoes to breed.
Turn over tools, such as wheelbarrows, when not in use.
Aerate and chlorinate swimming pools; aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens can become major mosquito producers if they are
allowed to stagnate. A swimming pool left untended by a family on vacation for a month can produce enough mosquitoes to result in neighborhood-wide complaints. Mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on pool covers.
Upgrade ornamental landscapes to prevent any standing water opportunities.
Clean out drainage ditches following rain storms so water can drain freely.
It is not necessary to limit any outdoor activities, unless local officials advise you otherwise. However, you can and should try to reduce your risk of being bitten by mosquitos.
In addition to reducing stagnant water in your yard, make sure all windows and doors have screens, and that all screens are in good repair.
Surveillance — Mosquitoes are collected in traps at many locations throughout the county. These samples are identified and tested for the presence of WNV. The Conservation District has a control program in place to help control mosquito populations should it become necessary, if the threat of WNV transmission is present. The image shown is a Gravid Trap which attracts female mosquitoes carrying eggs.
REPORT A DEAD BIRD:
Crows, blue jays and raptors are the most susceptible to WNV and can indicate the presence of WNV in the region. When an infected bird is found and reported, trapping efforts can be concentrated in that area. If you encounter a dead bird, please contact either our office, the Greene County Conservation District at 724-852-5278 or Pennsylvania Department of Health using either of the following options:
Phone: 1-877-PA-HEALTH or locally call 724-627-3168 or 724-852-5278
Today's date is:
For general information, please contact the Information Services at 724-852-5399 / Toll Free: 1-888-852-5399. County Office Building, 93 E. High Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370
West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne disease that can cause encephalitis, a brain inflammation causing the brain to swell.
West Nile Virus is closely related to St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) which is found in the United States and to Kunjin virus (KV) which is found in Australia, some Western Pacific islands and parts of South East Asia. West Nile virus was first detected in North America in 1999 in New York, and in Pennsylvania in 2000. Prior to that it had only been found in Africa, Eastern Europe, and West Asia.
Surveillance — Mosquitoes are collected in traps at many locations throughout the county. These samples are identified and tested for the presence of WNV. The Conservation District has a control program in place to help control mosquito populations should it become necessary, if the threat of WNV transmission is present. The image shown is a Gravid Trap which attracts female mosquitoes carrying eggs. 
