BUTLER TOWNSHIP, Pa. — West Nile virus has been detected in mosquito samples collected from Butler Township, marking the fifth positive sample in Butler County this year.
No human cases of the virus have been reported in Butler County at this time.
Health officials plan to conduct additional monitoring in the area where the positive samples were gathered. Targeted mosquito control work will follow, with specific actions determined by the number and species of mosquitoes identified in the area.
Most individuals infected with West Nile virus do not develop symptoms. Some people may experience fever, body aches, nausea, vomiting and a rash. Severe illness can occur in individuals of any age, but people over age 60 and those with specific medical conditions—including cancer, diabetes, kidney disease and organ transplants—face a higher risk.
Businesses and residents in Butler Township are advised to take precautions when outdoors during dusk and dawn, such as applying insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants. Health officials recommend that anyone who suspects an infection consult a health care provider.
Property owners can reduce mosquito breeding habitats by eliminating standing water around their homes and businesses. Containers capable of holding standing water, such as birdbaths and discarded tires, should be drained or removed.
Additional monitoring will be conducted in the area where the mosquito samples were collected. Local officials will perform targeted mosquito control work based on the volume and types of mosquitoes found during testing.
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