West Nile Virus Grants Awarded in Pennsylvania
As part of the West Nile Virus Control program, more than $2.2 million in grants has been given to 26 counties across Pennsylvania.
According to the DEP, 2012 was a record year for the West Nile Virus because of warmer temperatures that led to a mild winter and an early spring. In May of that year, the first WNV positive mosquito was found which sparked the highest records of human, bird, mosquito, and veterinary positives in nearly a decade.
The 2013 funding for the West Nile Virus Control program will help cover the costs of new spray equipment and other items needed to help combat the virus. “This grant funding will help the counties that are most affected by West Nile Virus to monitor and control mosquitos,” DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. “It is important for us to work with our county partners to protect human health at the local level.”
Beginning in May, the DEP WNV program will begin mosquito surveillance in order to find affected mosquitos as quickly as possible. Removing standing water can help property owners keep the risk of infection to a lower level and can also help control the mosquito population.
For more information about the West Nile Virus and its program, please click here.