Mosquitoes can spread the virus to people, but most of those infected do not develop symptoms.
Mosquito samples collected in five Lehigh Valley communities have tested positive for West Nile virus, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection reports.
In Lehigh County, the virus showed up in two North Whitehall Township samples and in one Whitehall Township sample, state officials said Tuesday. In Northampton County, West Nile was found in one sample each from Bethlehem, Washington Township and Wind Gap, officials said.
Statewide, the six samples were among 23 that tested positive, officials said. DEP and county West Nile virus staffs are responding to the positives with additional surveillance and control measures, officials said.
Mosquitoes can spread the virus to people. Most of those infected will
develop no symptoms, and fewer than 1 percent develop a serious,
sometimes fatal, neurological illness, according to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.