noworldsystem.com

After encouraging results following the first night of aerial treatments, the Department of Environmental Protection will continue its efforts this evening to protect the public against the mosquito-borne West Nile virus.

Targeted aerial treatments will be administered between 8 p.m. and midnight in portions of Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties where very high numbers of virus-carrying mosquitoes have been recorded.

“Last night’s treatment efforts covered approximately 52,000 acres in Delaware and Montgomery counties,” said Joseph A. Feola, the department’s southeast regional director. “Initial indications from our mosquito traps in Montgomery County suggest that the spray was highly effective.”
Tonight’s targeted application will cover 55,000 acres in the four counties.

DEP will report on all treatment activities and will make the latest information available at http://www.westnile.state.pa.us, including a map of areas that have been and will be treated. The public may also call 484-250-5824 for a recorded message that details upcoming aerial spraying events. The recorded message will be updated daily and will be available through the end of this week.

The decision to apply treatments from the air was made in consultation with county West Nile virus program coordinators, the Department of Health, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Feola said aerial treatments are recommended when five-out-of-every-1,000 mosquitoes test positive for the virus. Infection rates in the targeted areas all exceed the aerial treatment recommendation threshold or have a significant population of mosquito species that could become infected.