West Nile samples test positive in Allegheny County; 8 Pittsburgh neighborhoods to be spray-treated
ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. —
Eight Pittsburgh neighborhoods will be spray-treated for West Nile virus after officials said more positive samples were found in Allegheny County.
Allegheny County Health Department officials said in a release that additional mosquito samples tested positive for West Nile virus.
As a result, the health department will treat areas for mosquitoes in the following city communities: Brighton Heights, Marshall – Shadeland, California – Kirkbride, Manchester, Allegheny Commons, Perry South, Fineview, and Troy Hill.
The health department said a pesticide called Zenivex E20 will be sprayed.
“Zenivex is amongst the safest insecticides approved for use by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection,” the health department said in a release Mondau. “It is applied through ultra-low volume (ULV) sprayers at a rate of just 0.6 oz / acre, which delivers extremely small amounts of product in a fine mist designed to minimize exposure. It works on contact with mosquitoes but has a very low residual toxicity once it adheres to a surface. It also degrades rapidly in the presence of UV light (sunlight).”
It is considered low risk to people, pets, and wildlife. Studies, according to the health department, have shown that it is also very low risk for pollinators when used properly.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, West Nile virus is most commonly spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Less than 1% of infected people develop serious illness from West Nile.
Officials plan to spray in the above-listed neighborhoods on Aug. 5.
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