State Health Secretary Dr. Calvin B. Johnson has reported this year's first confirmed human case of West Nile virus in Pennsylvania. The individual, a 56-year-old Clearfield County man, is recovering and has been discharged from the hospital.
"Every case of human infection from West Nile is a reminder that we can take precautions to help reduce the risk of illness," Dr. Johnson said. "The chance of contracting West Nile virus from an infected mosquito is small, and your chances of becoming seriously ill are even smaller. However, it is important to remember that everyone -- particularly older adults and people with compromised immune systems -- should take simple steps to reduce their risk."
Secretary Johnson recommended these simple precautions to prevent mosquito bites, particularly for those most at risk:
- Make sure screens fit tightly over doors and windows to keep mosquitoes out of your home;
- When possible, reduce outdoor exposure at dawn and dusk, the times of day when the mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus are most active, during the warmer months of the year (usually April through October);
- Consider wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks when outdoors, particularly at dawn and dusk, or in areas known for having large numbers of mosquitoes;
- Use insect repellents according to the manufacturer's instructions. Effective repellents contain DEET. Consult a doctor if you have concerns about the use of repellent on young children, as repellent is not recommended for children under the age of two months. Two other insect repellants, Picaridin (KBR 3023) and oil of lemon eucalyptus, a plant based repellent, were tested against mosquitoes and provided protection similar to repellents with low concentrations of DEET.
Pennsylvanians also can reduce the risk of West Nile virus by eliminating the places where mosquitoes breed. Mosquitoes can breed in standing water that is present for four or more days.
"The Department of Environmental Protection and our county partners are working hard to eliminate mosquitoes and mosquito breeding sites in public areas, but we need homeowners to help," DEP Secretary Kathleen McGinty said. "If there is standing water on your property, remember our advice: 'dump it, drain it, treat it.'"
McGinty suggested some simple steps that can be taken around the house: