State grant to help Delco fight West Nile Virus
DELAWARE COUNTY State grant to help fight W. Nile virus SPRINGFIELD Delaware County officials are getting some help this year in battling the threat of West Nile virus.
DELAWARE COUNTY
State grant to help fight W. Nile virus
SPRINGFIELD Delaware County officials are getting some help this year in battling the threat of West Nile virus.
The Delaware County Council on Wednesday approved the use of a $113,560 state grant to administer a West Nile virus surveillance program that will survey and control mosquitoes in the county.
The county will again partner with the Penn State Extension in Springfield to provide services. Last year under the partnership, nearly 1,000 West Nile virus detection traps were set around the county. The virus was detected in 14 percent of samples.
West Nile virus, transmitted by mosquitoes, typically exhibits mild symptoms. In rare cases, it can be life-threatening.
In 2012, seven human cases were detected in Delaware County. None were identified last year.
The state grant is one of 25 similar county grants totaling about $2 million that were distributed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to minimize risks of the virus. - Caitlin McCabe