Human Tests Positive for West Nile in Delco

Another person tested positive for the West Nile virus in Delaware County, according to a release from the state health department.

The test case was discovered on Thursday, according to a statement from the Pennsylvania West Nile Control Program website. This marks the third case of a human in Delaware County testing positive for the virus this summer.

Dozens of mosquito samples in Delaware County and several in Springfield Township have tested positive for the virus in the Delaware County area.

The West Nile program also released last week that one person has died from West Nile. That person was in Luzerne County, which is in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Symptoms

People can have a mild case of West Nile and not realize it. Mild symptoms, according to the Pennsylvania West Nile Virus Control Program, include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Body Aches
• Occasional Skin Rash
• Occasional Swollen Lymph Glands

More severe symptoms include:

• Headache
• High Fever
• Neck Stiffness
• Stupor
• Disorientation
• Coma
• Tremors
• Convulsions
• Muscle Weakness
• Paralysis

Prevention

Tips from Delaware County to eliminate standing water include:

• Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers.
• Pay special attention to discarded tires that may have accumulated on your property.
• Drill holes in the bottom of containers that are left outdoors.
• Clean clogged roof gutters on an annual basis.
•  Turn over plastic wading pools, wheelbarrows and birdbaths when not in use.
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used.

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