Allegheny County Health Department identifies first human case of West Nile virus in 2025
The agency has been busy spraying in communities after multiple samples tested positive for West Nile virus.
The health department has conducted spraying in 31 communities across the Pittsburgh area. Samples were found in separate areas from Carrick to Morningside and from Chartiers to East Hills.
The individual who tested positive resides in Plum Borough. On Aug. 14, the health department began additional surveillance in the area and launched an investigation.
The health department said the victim began experiencing symptoms in mid-July. Symptoms include fever, malaise, diarrhea, and anorexia. They are currently recovering at home, according to a news release from the health department.
"It's been in the area for quite a long time, so it's endemic to this area," according to Nick Baldauf, the vector control coordinator.
Carried by mosquitoes native to the area, you can combat West Nile virus if you can snuff out where mosquitoes breed.
"They like small sources of standing water. Things like unkept swimming pools, tires, and children's toys that are unused," Baldauf said.
According to CDC data, between 70 and 80% of people who become infected with West Nile virus do not develop symptoms and are not impacted. Approximately 20% of those who become infected will develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash.
Most people with symptoms can recover on their own. Less than 1% of people infected with the virus will develop severe symptoms of neurologic illness caused by inflammation of the brain or spinal cord.
Anyone who believes they or someone they know has West Nile virus should consult a health care provider.
Baldauf said the good news is that the threat of West Nile virus will decrease over the next few months as temperatures drop and daylight decreases.
"It's most important to be vigilant. Mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus are active during the twilight hours. It's a good idea to wear insect repellent, long sleeves, and long pants," Baldauf said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
5 dead, 108 sickened in New York City Legionnaires' disease outbreak
The death toll in New York City's Legionnaires' disease outbreak has risen to five with more 100 cases confirmed across five ZIP codes in Central Harlem, local health officials announced. Since the outbreak began on July 25, the New York City Health Department has reported 108 cases of Legionnaires' disease in Central Harlem — a historically Black neighborhood in Upper Manhattan. The latest death was reported on Aug. 18 after health officials concluded that a person with the disease who died before mid-August was associated with the Central Harlem cluster. "Based on epidemiological evidence, remediation efforts have been effective as new cases continue to decrease," Dr. Michelle Morse, acting commissioner of the city health department, said in a statement on X. "The Health Department is continuing our investigation." As of Aug. 19, the city health department said 14 people with the disease were currently hospitalized as officials continued investigating the community cluster of the disease in ZIP codes: 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039. The city health department reiterated that the risk to most residents in these ZIP codes remains low but urged those who work or live in the area to immediately see a health care provider if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms. Legionnaires' disease is a severe pneumonia caused by a type of bacteria called Legionella, which grows in warm or hot water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms, which can develop up to 14 days after exposure, include cough, fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches, and shortness of breath. NYC Legionnaires' disease outbreak: An obscure disease keeps spreading through air conditioning Where does the Legionnaires' disease outbreak stem from? The outbreak in Central Harlem has been linked to cooling towers in the area, according to the city health department. Cooling towers are heat exchangers that use fans and water to cool down buildings. In an update on Aug. 19, the city health department said it has sampled and tested water from all cooling towers in the five ZIP codes. On Aug. 14, health officials confirmed that 12 cooling towers in the area had positive results for the Legionella bacteria. Remediation of the towers have since been completed. Health officials have noted that the outbreak is not related to buildings' hot or cold water supply, and that the plumbing system was separate from the cooling tower system. People should continue to use air conditioning, including window units, and other appliances that use water, the city health department said. "Any cooling towers with initial positive results for Legionella bacteria have completed the treatment required by the Health Department," according to to the the city health department. "We are continuing to monitor and let buildings know if additional treatment is needed." USA TODAY previously reported that the Central Harlem cluster is already the largest outbreak of the disease in the city in a decade. Typically, clusters have been concentrated in lower-income and non-White communities. The city saw its largest recent outbreak in 2015, when 138 cases and 16 deaths were linked to a single cooling tower in the South Bronx. In 2022, the Highbridge neighborhood of the Bronx had a cluster of 30 people diagnosed with the disease, according to a city health department report. What is Legionnaires' disease? The disease takes its name from a 1976 outbreak at a state convention of the American Legion veterans organization in a Philadelphia hotel. More than 180 people contracted the disease, and 29 died. Though it is considered a rare disease, the American Lung Association says Legionnaires' disease is a growing health concern. It has steadily become more common nationwide in recent decades, according to the CDC, and research has shown that hotter, more humid temperatures have contributed to the increase of cases. Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia caused by consuming water or breathing in water vapor contaminated with Legionella bacteria, according to the CDC. The disease can be caused by plumbing systems where conditions are favorable for bacteria growth, such as cooling towers, whirlpool spas, hot tubs, humidifiers, hot water tanks, and evaporative condensers of large air-conditioning systems. Legionnaires' disease cannot be spread from person to person and can be treated with antibiotics, the CDC says. Most healthy people who get infected usually get better, but about one in 10 people who get the disease die due to complications from it. The best way to prevent Legionnaires' disease is by cleaning pipes and devices that use water, according to the CDC. And health officials have urged people at higher risk — including those ages 50 and older, cigarette smokers, and people with chronic lung disease or compromised immune systems — to immediately seek medical care if they have symptoms. "Legionnaires' disease can be effectively treated if diagnosed early, but New Yorkers at higher risk, like adults aged 50 and older and those who smoke or have chronic lung conditions, should be especially mindful of their symptoms and seek care as soon as symptoms begin," Morse said in a statement on Aug. 4. Contributing: Eduardo Cuevas and Melina Khan, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NYC Legionnaires' disease: Death toll climbs to 5 from the outbreak
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
5 Dead, 108 Sickened in N.Y.C. Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak
The outbreak has been linked to 12 cooling towers from 10 separate buildings NEED TO KNOW The death toll in New York's ongoing Legionnaires' disease outbreak has been updated to five, as 14 people remain hospitalized and 108 are diagnosed with the severe pneumonia Residents in Central Harlem are asking 'who dropped the ball?' The city's health department said all the impacted buildings "have completed the treatment required" The death toll in New York's ongoing outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Central Harlem has risen to five, as more people continue to be diagnosed with the severe pneumonia. Officials confirmed a previous death had been caused by the airborne bacteria, according to local outlet Gothamist, saying that the casualties now equal those from a 2022 outbreak at a nursing home. There are also 108 confirmed cases of the respiratory illnesses, and 14 people hospitalized, according to the most recent statement from New York City Department of Health. Legionnaires' disease is a type of serious pneumonia that's contracted by inhaling mist that contains Legionella bacteria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The sources of this outbreak have been identified as 12 cooling towers for 10 separate buildings — but all towers 'have completed the treatment required by the Health Department. We are continuing to monitor and let buildings know if additional treatment is needed,' the officials said. Cooling towers are often a source of Legionnaires' disease outbreaks because they're filled with water, John Hopkins Medicine explains: 'If not properly maintained, the water can foster Legionella bacteria, which can then be swept into the system's fans and circulated throughout the building's air." Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease can include a cough, fever, headaches, shortness of breath and nausea, and can be treated with antibiotics, but in serious cases, it can lead to lung failure and death. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Residents in the affected areas spoke out about the city's delay in releasing the addresses of the impacted buildings; 'We did not want people to think, well, I don't live there, I don't have to worry,' Health Commissioner Michelle Morse said, per the New York Post. But Nichole Ingram, a resident who was sickened with Legionnaires' after attending a funeral in an impacted building — and whose son was hospitalized for the illness— told the outlet, 'Why weren't these cooling towers properly maintained? Who dropped the ball and why?' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
5 dead, 108 sickened in New York City Legionnaires' disease outbreak
The death toll in New York City's Legionnaires' disease outbreak has risen to five with more 100 cases confirmed across five ZIP codes in Central Harlem, local health officials announced. Since the outbreak began on July 25, the New York City Health Department has reported 108 cases of Legionnaires' disease in Central Harlem — a historically Black neighborhood in Upper Manhattan. The latest death was reported on Aug. 18 after health officials concluded that a person with the disease who died before mid-August was associated with the Central Harlem cluster. "Based on epidemiological evidence, remediation efforts have been effective as new cases continue to decrease," Dr. Michelle Morse, acting commissioner of the city health department, said in a statement on X. "The Health Department is continuing our investigation." As of Aug. 19, the city health department said 14 people with the disease were currently hospitalized as officials continued investigating the community cluster of the disease in ZIP codes: 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039. The city health department reiterated that the risk to most residents in these ZIP codes remains low but urged those who work or live in the area to immediately see a health care provider if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms. Legionnaires' disease is a severe pneumonia caused by a type of bacteria called Legionella, which grows in warm or hot water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms, which can develop up to 14 days after exposure, include cough, fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches, and shortness of breath. NYC Legionnaires' disease outbreak: An obscure disease keeps spreading through air conditioning Where does the Legionnaires' disease outbreak stem from? The outbreak in Central Harlem has been linked to cooling towers in the area, according to the city health department. Cooling towers are heat exchangers that use fans and water to cool down buildings. In an update on Aug. 19, the city health department said it has sampled and tested water from all cooling towers in the five ZIP codes. On Aug. 14, health officials confirmed that 12 cooling towers in the area had positive results for the Legionella bacteria. Remediation of the towers have since been completed. Health officials have noted that the outbreak is not related to buildings' hot or cold water supply, and that the plumbing system was separate from the cooling tower system. People should continue to use air conditioning, including window units, and other appliances that use water, the city health department said. "Any cooling towers with initial positive results for Legionella bacteria have completed the treatment required by the Health Department," according to to the the city health department. "We are continuing to monitor and let buildings know if additional treatment is needed." USA TODAY previously reported that the Central Harlem cluster is already the largest outbreak of the disease in the city in a decade. Typically, clusters have been concentrated in lower-income and non-White communities. The city saw its largest recent outbreak in 2015, when 138 cases and 16 deaths were linked to a single cooling tower in the South Bronx. In 2022, the Highbridge neighborhood of the Bronx had a cluster of 30 people diagnosed with the disease, according to a city health department report. What is Legionnaires' disease? The disease takes its name from a 1976 outbreak at a state convention of the American Legion veterans organization in a Philadelphia hotel. More than 180 people contracted the disease, and 29 died. Though it is considered a rare disease, the American Lung Association says Legionnaires' disease is a growing health concern. It has steadily become more common nationwide in recent decades, according to the CDC, and research has shown that hotter, more humid temperatures have contributed to the increase of cases. Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia caused by consuming water or breathing in water vapor contaminated with Legionella bacteria, according to the CDC. The disease can be caused by plumbing systems where conditions are favorable for bacteria growth, such as cooling towers, whirlpool spas, hot tubs, humidifiers, hot water tanks, and evaporative condensers of large air-conditioning systems. Legionnaires' disease cannot be spread from person to person and can be treated with antibiotics, the CDC says. Most healthy people who get infected usually get better, but about one in 10 people who get the disease die due to complications from it. The best way to prevent Legionnaires' disease is by cleaning pipes and devices that use water, according to the CDC. And health officials have urged people at higher risk — including those ages 50 and older, cigarette smokers, and people with chronic lung disease or compromised immune systems — to immediately seek medical care if they have symptoms. "Legionnaires' disease can be effectively treated if diagnosed early, but New Yorkers at higher risk, like adults aged 50 and older and those who smoke or have chronic lung conditions, should be especially mindful of their symptoms and seek care as soon as symptoms begin," Morse said in a statement on Aug. 4. Contributing: Eduardo Cuevas and Melina Khan, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NYC Legionnaires' disease: Death toll climbs to 5 from the outbreak Solve the daily Crossword
