Southwestern public health is urging local residents to take precautions after a Woodstock mosquito pool tested positive for the West Nile virus. West Nile has been detected in the county this year in Pottsville, Cressona, Schuylkill Haven and Ringtown boroughs and Hegins, West Mahanoy and Mahanoy townships. Most people who are infected with the virus suffer no symptoms or experience a very mild illness such as fever, headache, muscle weakness and body aches. However, a small percentage of people — roughly 1 in 5 — develop a fever and may additionally experience headaches, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or a rash, among other signs of the virus. “Even though we see the West Nile virus in some form every year in Connecticut, I hope residents will take basic steps to prevent mosquito bites and report any potential West Nile virus infections to a health care professional,” Mayor Luke Bronin said.
A man died and 12 others were hospitalized when the West Nile virus spread across Italy.