CHAMBERSBURG>> The season for West Nile virus is off to an early start this year.
The state Department of Environmental Protection on Wednesday reported the first sample this year of mosquitoes testing positive for the virus in Franklin County. The mosquitoes were trapped on June 17 in Hamilton Township.
It's the second earliest that a sample in the county has tested positive in the 13-year history of the state surveillance program. The earliest was on June 16, 2011. The county's record year for West Nile in mosquitoes was 2012, when the first positive came on June 28.
The season runs through September, when most human cases are reported. The mosquitoes in the early season typically rely on birds for a blood meal.
Some mosquito species carry the West Nile virus, which in humans can lead to West Nile encephalitis, an infection that can result in an inflammation of the brain. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, all residents in areas where virus activity has been identified are at risk of contracting West Nile encephalitis.
Residents are encouraged to prevent mosquito bites by covering up when outside, especially at dusk and dawn and by using insect repellents. An effective repellent will contain DEET, picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil. Consult a physician for questions about the use of a repellent on children, as a repellent is not recommended for children younger than 2 months.
The Franklin County West Nile Program a week ago sprayed for mosquitoes capable of transmitting West Nile virus in parts of Greene, Guilford and Southampton townships. The virus had not been detected in the townships this year, but there were enough mosquitoes to warrant spraying.
The program has tested 43 mosquito samples this season.
This virus has been detected in eight Pennsylvania counties so far this year. The state has not yet had a human case this year. One of the 11 people who contracted West Nile last year in Pennsylvania died.
DEP also announced on Wednesday the first two positives of the season in Cumberland County. Adams and Dauphin counties lead the state with three positives each.
Residents are urged to help eliminate mosquito-breeding areas by disposing of outside containers that hold water, cleaning clogged roof gutters, aerating fishless ornamental ponds, chlorinating swimming pools and turning over plastic wading pools when not in use.
For more information about West Nile virus and the state's surveillance and control program, please visit www.westnile.state.pa.us