West Nile Virus Shows Up Early in Pa.

A mosquito carrying the West Nile virus has been detected earlier than usual in Pennsylvania this year

A mosquito carrying the West Nile virus has been detected earlier than usual in Pennsylvania this year.

The state departments of Environmental Protection and Health said Thursday the mosquito found May 3 in Exeter Township, Berks County, was the earliest detected since state testing began in 2000.

DEP Secretary Mike Krancer says the virus-carrying insects usually do not show up until June, but this year's unseasonably warm weather accelerated the cycle. He says the DEP staff is monitoring mosquito populations and spraying to reduce the threat to public health.

In humans, the virus can result in inflammation of the brain. Officials says most infected people do not become ill, but older adults and people with compromised immune systems have the highest risk of getting sick and developing complications.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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