CARLISLE, Pa. — Amidst the growing threat of mosquito-borne diseases, Cumberland County officials are taking proactive measures to combat the spread of the West Nile virus.
The county vector control officials have reported a high population of mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus in the area. In response, they have intensified their efforts to protect public health by targeting areas where disease-carrying mosquitoes have been detected.
Marcus Snyder, a public health specialist with Cumberland County Vector Control, emphasized the importance of halting the spread of the virus at the mosquito level to prevent it from becoming a public health crisis. Snyder and his team have been conducting trapping and sampling of mosquitoes to monitor and identify those potentially carrying the deadly disease.
"Based on what we find in the surveillance, we try to do mitigation, whether that be treating or dumping water," said Snyder. He also noted a positive trend, stating, "We are seeing a downtick in the number of mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus throughout the county."
In addition to their on-the-ground efforts, the vector control team is urging residents to take precautionary measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites. They recommend using repellent sprays in areas with high mosquito populations and eliminating sources of standing water on private properties.
"If you have water or standing water on your property, either dump it or treat it. If you're able to dump it, that's the best course," said Snyder.
County officials are focused on keeping communities informed about the areas and routes that require mosquito-repellent spraying. They are also encouraging residents to use repellent products that can be applied to standing water or sprayed in their backyards to deter mosquitoes from breeding in these areas.