MINERSVILLE - The West Nile virus has been detected in Minersville.
It was detected Tuesday and was the first time the virus was found in mosquitoes in the borough.
Colleen Connolly, northeast regional spokeswoman for the state Department of Environmental Protection, said she doesn't anticipate any spraying in the area.
No one was available for comment Friday from the state Department of Health.
There have been no human cases of the virus in Schuylkill County so far this year. The last human case in the county was in 2003.
Statewide, 22 human cases of the virus have been detected, according to the state's website dedicated to West Nile virus at www.westnile.state.pa.us.
The virus causes flu-like symptoms and can result in encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain. It can also lead to death.
The first case of the virus in Pennsylvania this year was detected in a mosquito May 3 in Exeter Township.
York County has the highest number of cases of the virus with 369 cases. Adams County is second with 336 and Schuylkill County has 19, according to the website.
Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that as of Sept. 18, the virus was detected in 48 states. There were 3,142 total cases of the virus detected in people and there were 134 deaths, according to the CDC.
Preventative actions can be taken to combat the spread of the virus, including eliminating standing water, wearing light clothing and using insect repellent, which can help reduce exposure to the mosquitoes that carry the virus. West Nile locally
Minersville is just the latest municipality in Schuylkill County in which West Nile virus was detected.
Earlier this year, the virus was detected in the boroughs of Cressona, Schuylkill Haven, Tamaqua and Ringtown, and the townships of Mahanoy, West Mahanoy, Pine Grove, West Brunswick and North Manheim.
Source: www.westnile.state.pa.us