West Nile virus has been detected in Pine Grove Township.
The virus was detected in a mosquito in the township July 17, according to the state's West Nile website at www.westnile.state.pa.us.
Amanda Witman, spokeswoman with the state Department of Environmental Protection, said in an email that a DEP expert told her, "a biologist will retrap the area and expand the scope of surveillance. Any larval habitat will be treated to control mosquito breeding. If the retrapped area is once again found to be infected, adult mosquito control may ensue."
Pine Grove Township is the third municipality in Schuylkill County in which the virus has been found. It was detected in a mosquito June 19 in Mahanoy Township and a mosquito tested positive for the virus July 10 in Cressona.
To date, 37 counties have tested positive for the virus. Of that, 35 have seen mosquitoes that have tested positive.
No humans have tested positive for the virus so far this year, according to the state. The last human case of the virus in Schuylkill County was in 2003.
The virus causes flu-like symptoms and can result in encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain. Last year, the virus was found in mosquitoes in Landingville and Tamaqua boroughs and Pine Grove, West Mahanoy and Tremont townships.
The risk of the virus can be reduced by eliminating standing water on property, wearing light clothing and using repellent.
