Philadelphia will spray for mosquitoes tonight
If it doesn't rain tonight, and it seems there is very little chance of that, the Health Department will spray a small section of Northeast Philadelphia's Pennypack Park as a precaution against the dreaded West Nile virus.
If it doesn't rain tonight, and it seems there is very little chance of that, the Health Department will spray a small section of Northeast Philadelphia's Pennypack Park as a precaution against the dreaded West Nile virus.
The area to be sprayed is near the band concert stage, bounded by Welsh Road, Cresco Avenue, Rhawn Street and Pennypack Creek beginning at dusk.
The department's Vector Control staff will administer Anvil 2+2, which it defines as a synthetic pyrethroid, a product derived from the chrysanthemum flowed that evaporates quickly into the atmosphere. The department said Anvil 2+2 will be administered as fine aerosol droplets via truck-mounted equipment, evaporates quickly into the atmosphere, kills mosquitoes on contact, but has no ill effects on people.
Certain mosquitoes species carry West Nile virus, which, when transmitted to people, can cause West Nile encephalitis, an infection that can result in an inflammation of the brain.
There have been no confirmed human cases of West Nile virus in Pennsylvania this year. Last year, however, there were nine confirmed cases in the state, although none were in Philadelphia.
For more information about West Nile virus and the state's surveillance and control program, go to www.westnile.state.pa.us. For questions of the West Nile Virus program in Philadelphia call 215-685-9000.
