West Nile Virus detected in the Valley for the 4th time in 2024

HEMPFIELD Twp., Pa. (WKBN)- West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitos collected from the Hempfield Township in Mercer County, according to the Mercer County Conservation District.

In a news release, the Mercer County Conservation District stated this is the third sample to test positive for this virus in Mercer County in 2024. No human cases of WNV were detected.

According to the agency, additional monitoring will be done in the area where these mosquito samples were collected and control work will be conducted, depending on the number and types of mosquitoes that are found.

According to the press release, most people do not develop symptoms while some may have a fever, body aches, nausea, vomiting and a rash. The Mercer County Conservation District said severe illness can occur in people of any age; however, people over 60 years of age are at greater risk. The agency said that people with certain medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and kidney disease and people who have received organ transplants are also at greater risk.

Businesses and residents located in the borough of Hempfield Township should take extra precautions such as applying insect repellant and wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors during dusk and dawn. Mosquito breeding habitats such as bird baths, discarded tires, or any other containers capable of retaining standing water should be emptied.

Officials detected West Nile Virus previously in Grove City earlier this month and in August . The virus was found in Lawrence County in July.

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