West Nile Virus Found in South Whitehall Mosquito

A mosquito carrying West Nile Virus was found Thursday in South Whitehall and a third person has contracted the virus, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

The latest case is the second person from York County to be sickened by West Nile Virus, the department said. The other is from Montgomery County. The patients are male, two are between the ages of 60 and 69 and one is between 18 and 39, the department said.

Lehigh and Northampton counties have both been designated as "hot zones" for West Nile this summer by the state's West Nile Virus Program. The virus has been detected in mosquitoes in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Lower Macungie Township, Salisbury Township and North Whitehall Township. Crews sprayed to reduce the mosquito population last week in North Whitehall.

Here's how you can reduce your risk for West Nile:

• Eliminate all standing water, which can collect in wheelbarrows, wading pools or old tires. Turn them over or put them away.
• Clean out roof gutters.
• If you have an ornamental pond or pool, aerate it, or stock it with fish.
• Make sure screens are tight and in good condition.
• Limit exposure at peak mosquito times, which are dawn and dusk.
• Use insect repellent.