(Photo by Stephen Ausmus/USDA)PHILADELPHIA - There are mosquitoes in Philadelphia that are positive for West Nile virus, according to the Philadelphia Department of Health.Officials with the health department made the announcement Thursday, saying they identified a "pool" of mosquitoes that were positive for West Nile.Additionally, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection also announced they have found West Nile virus activity in Bucks, Cumberland, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.West Nile virus is spread by infected mosquitoes that bite humans.
It can cause neurologic symptoms. It is reported one in five people infected will suffer from fever and flu-like symptoms. One in 150 people will develop inflammation of the brain or spinal cord, which can lead to death.Officials say the best way to avoid a West Nile infection is to keep mosquitoes from breeding.Tips to mosquito-proof your home and neighborhood: • Anything that can hold water can breed mosquitoes, from soda bottle caps to discarded tires.