With additional mosquito samples testing positive for West Nile Virus in Allegheny County, local health officials are rolling out the big guns: pesticide treatments. Neighborhoods including Hazelwood, South Side Slopes, Arlington, Mount Oliver, Carrick, Knoxville, and Beltzhoover are scheduled to be treated with Zenivex E20, an insecticide deemed "low risk" by the EPA and safe for humans and pets. The Allegheny County Health Department confirmed this step yesterday, as reported by CBS News Pittsburgh.
Treatment is scheduled for Thursday from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. If Mother Nature decides otherwise and it rains, the contingency plan is to resume on the following Monday, July 28, at the same time and with the same mosquitoes.
WPXI shared insights from locals with mixed feelings about the pesticide application. Denny Kichi expressed support for the preemptive strike, saying, “I think it’s a great idea. Preventative is the way to go.” At the same time, Laura Labishak raised concerns about the impact on other wildlife that might dine on these pesky insects.
With summer in full swing, which coincides with peak mosquito season, the county's Vector Control Specialist, Nicholas Baldauf, offered some practical advice for avoiding bites: slipping into long sleeves and pants at dusk or applying repellent to exposed skin. Not everyone bitten will feel under the weather, but a fifth of those pesky mosquitoes' victims might experience fever and other less-than-delightful symptoms. For residents who suspect a battle with the West Nile Virus, Baldauf advised seeking a professional medical evaluation, given the lack of specific vaccines or treatments for the virus.
