Community Corner

State: West Nile Found In Haverford Mosquitoes

It was not clear just how many mosquitoes tested postivie for the virus in Haverford Township.

The Pennsylvania's West Nile Control Program released a statement on Monday afternoon, stating that Haverford Township mosquitoes have tested positive West Nile Virus.

It was not clear just how many mosquitoes tested positive for the virus in Haverford Township.

, Delaware County Councilwoman Colleen Morrone, the council's liaison to the Department of Intercommunity Health, shared tips on how to prevent the virus from coming onto people's property. Here are some of those tips:

Find out what's happening in Haverford-Havertownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers.
  • Pay special attention to discarded tires that may have accumulated on your property.
  • Clean clogged roof gutters on an annual basis.
  • Turn over plastic wading pools, wheelbarrows and birdbaths when not in use.

Chris Whiting, owner of Mosquito Platoon, stated that while the virus is not something to be taken lightly, not everyone is in danger.

"What most people do not understand about West Nile Virus is that the average healthy person can get it and have minor flu symptoms for a few days and it goes away. The elderly, under 3-year-old children and those with compromised immune systems are the ones who suffer the most and end up in the hospital with multiple health problems or worse," , who is also the president of the Haverford Township Civic Council.

Find out what's happening in Haverford-Havertownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

. According to the program, 30 in 150 people infected will develop a mild infection called West Nile fever and may have the following symptoms: fever, headache, body aches, skin rash, swollen lymph glands.

But "1 in 150 persons infected will develop a severe infection called West Nile encephalitis. Symptoms: high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis," the program stated.


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