West Nile Virus detected in more area communities

The Allegheny County Health Department says mosquito samples collected around the area have tested positive for West Nile Virus.

The areas include Allegheny Commons, Fineview, Garfield, Perry South, Morningside and the Hill District.

In response, the ACHD will treat those community with an insecticide that is not harmful to humans or pets on Monday using a truck with a sprayer between 8 to 11 p.m.

In case of rain, the spray will take place on Tuesday.

The CDC says most people that become infected with West Nile virus will not even know it.

70 to 80 percent of people do not develop symptoms. 20 percent will develop symptoms like headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting diarrhea and/or rash.

Of those 20 percent, most recover on their own with less than one percent developing “severe symptoms of neurologic illness caused by inflammation of the brain or spinal cord.”

To product yourself from mosquitos make sure open windows have screens and use insect repellant when outside.

You can remove mosquito breeding areas but getting rid of any standing water on your property.