Cambria Co. receives $65,344 state grant for West Nile virus control
Rep. Frank Burns April 16, 2014
HARRISBURG, April 16 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria/Somerset, today announced that Cambria County will receive $65,344 in funding from the Department of Environmental Protection to help the county keep mosquito populations in check.
In all, nearly $2.1 million was awarded to 26 counties.
"These grants are designed to help counties survey and control the cause of West Nile virus, mosquitoes," Burns said. "Keeping down the population of mosquitoes limits the spread of the disease."
Last year, West Nile virus was detected in 42 counties, including Cambria. Eleven humans tested positive for the virus in 2013, but they all resided in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Bites by infected mosquitoes can transmit the virus to birds, horses and humans. According to the centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are no medications or vaccines to prevent West Nile virus infection, however most people infected will have no symptoms. About one in five who is infected will develop a fever with other symptoms, and less than 1 percent of those infected will develop more serious symptoms, including West Nile encephalitis, which is an inflammation of the brain and can be fatal.
In preparation for mosquito season, Burns said residents should dump all standing water from around their property, which is where mosquitoes breed.
For more information about West Nile virus, or to report a dead bird or file a mosquito complaint, visit www.westnile.state.pa.us or call 717-346-8243.