Milford to get sprayed with insecticide after West Nile is discovered

The Pennsylvania health department reported suspected human illness in Milford Borough after a private laboratory found West Nile virus in a tested sample from a local resident.

As a result of the Aug. 10 report, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) collected six mosquito samples in the borough on Aug. 12. One of the six samples tested positive on Aug. 13, and those findings were reported to borough the same day.

On Aug. 16, the health department reported they had retested the sample from the Milford resident and found it to be negative.

The DEP plans to conduct a barrier application at the site of the positive collection. The barrier or “surface spray” applies insecticides on vegetation, which mosquitoes use to rest and protect themselves against desiccation during the day. This type of application works well against the vector associated with the transmission of West Nile.

Barrier applications are most effective when they have time to dry. The state planned to spray on Aug. 19, as this paper goes to press, because of the expectation of dry weather.

During the barrier application, sources of larval production will also be assessed and controlled, according to state officials.

The DEP will assess the effectiveness of the barrier application with additional mosquito sampling on Aug. 30 and 31. Depending on the state’s mosquito surveillance and testing results, the DEP will continue to survey and control the mosquito population until the end of September.

Mayor Sean Strub said Milford Borough has been in touch with the DEP’s West Nile Virus Control Program. He said it was good news that the Milford Borough resident came back negative on the second test, “however, they reiterated that they did find mosquitoes in Milford borough that tested positive for West Nile Virus.”

The DEP tested six locations in the borough and found West Nile-infected mosquitoes between James and Ann Streets and 9th and 6th Streets, including parts of both Milford Borough and Milford Township.

“It is important that we minimize mosquito habitat by mowing lawns, trimming shrubs, cutting weeds and removing any stagnant water,” Strub said. “That includes bird baths, buckets, wheelbarrows and tires as well as checking gutters for proper drainage. Let’s all do our part to get rid of mosquitoes with the virus before people become ill with West Nile Virus.”

The Centers for Disease Control says West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. It is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat West Nile in people.

Fortunately, most people infected with West Nile do not feel sick, the CDC says. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About 1 out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.