PITTSBURGH \u2014 The Allegheny County Health Department will spray nine Pittsburgh neighborhoods on Tuesday to reduce mosquito populations following recent positive tests for West Nile Virus.<\/p>\n
Crews will operate a truck-mounted sprayer from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. across the designated areas.<\/p>\n
The spraying will target The Hill District, Upper Hill, Polish Hill, Bloomfield, Friendship, Stanton Heights, Morningside, Highland Park and Homewood. The department scheduled the treatment after detecting West Nile Virus in mosquitoes collected from those communities.<\/p>\n
The health department will use a pesticide called Zenivex E20 for the treatment. The product is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and is considered low risk to people, pets, pollinators and wildlife.<\/p>\n
West Nile Virus is the leading mosquito-borne disease in the United States and spreads to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. The virus circulates during mosquito season, which begins in the spring and continues through the fall. Most infected individuals do not experience symptoms. About one in five people develop a fever alongside other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash, while less than 1% develop serious illness.<\/p>\n
Nicholas Baldauf, a vector control specialist with the Allegheny County Health Department, urged residents to take personal protective measures during peak mosquito activity hours. <\/p>\n
\u201cGenerally, the species of mosquitoes that carry West Nile Virus are active from dusk to dawn,\u201d Baldauf said. \u201cTo deter mosquito bites, we encourage people to use insect repellent on exposed skin or to wear long sleeves and pants. Both methods are effective at reducing or eliminating the possibility of getting a mosquito bite.\u201d<\/p>\n
Baldauf emphasized that community participation is essential to eliminating potential mosquito habitats. <\/p>\n
\u201cAllegheny County residents play an important role when it comes to reducing the area\u2019s mosquito population,\u201d Baldauf said. \u201cMosquitoes can breed in as little as a half inch of stagnant water, so residents should pay close attention to potential breeding sites like stagnant water in tires, unused swimming pools, buckets, corrugated piping and clogged gutters.\u201d<\/p>\n
Residents can report potential breeding sites on both private and public properties to the Allegheny County Health Department\u2019s Housing and Community Environment Program. Reports can be filed by completing an online form or calling 412-350-4046.<\/p>\n
If rain cancels the scheduled Tuesday treatment, crews will carry out the spraying operation on Wednesday evening.<\/p>\n
Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n