*WARNING FOR SE PA*

[ttrjpbcz]

This worried me about my outdoor animals, so I thought I would pass it along in case someone didn't know about it!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Aug. 25, 2008 Department of Environmental Protection
Department of Health
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 308, Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120

CONTACT: Deborah Fries (DEP)
(484) 250-5808

Holli Senior (Health)
(717) 787-1783

DEP TO CONDUCT AERIAL MOSQUITO TREATMENTS TO STEM WEST NILE VIRUS IN
SOUTHEASTERN COUNTIES Sprayings Set for Tuesday, Wednesday Nights

NORRISTOWN – To protect the public against mosquito-borne West Nile
virus, the Department of Environmental Protection will conduct
targeted aerial sprayings between 8 p.m. and midnight on Tuesday, Aug.
26 and Wednesday, Aug. 27, in portions of Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery
and Philadelphia counties.
Certain mosquito species carry the West Nile virus, which, when
transmitted to people, can cause West Nile encephalitis, an infection
that can result in an inflammation of the brain. One human case of the
West Nile virus has been confirmed this year in a 27-year-old
Montgomery County woman.
"The West Nile infection rates we've detected among mosquitoes this
summer are the highest we've seen in nine years," said Joseph A.
Feola, the department's southeast regional director. "Typically, we
see the transmission rates of the virus from mosquitoes to humans
reach its highest levels in mid- to late-August, which makes it
imperative for us to act now."
Feola noted aerial treatments are recommended when five out of every
1,000 mosquitoes tests positive for the virus. Infection rates in the
targeted areas all exceed the aerial treatment recommendation
threshold or have a significant population of mosquito species that
could become infected.
The decision to apply treatments from the air was made in consultation
with county West Nile virus program coordinators, the Department of
Health, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Weather permitting, residents in the targeted areas can expect to see
low-flying airplanes that will spray Resmethrin, a synthetic
pyrethroid product, at the rate of .0035 pounds per acre, or an amount
equal to one-third of a teaspoon. The spray rate is half of the amount
approved for safe application by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency and should have no adverse effects to ornamental ponds or plant
life.
While Resmethrin is considered safe with little risk of toxicity, the
Department of Health recommends some basic steps the public may take
to reduce possible exposure to it:
• Children and pregnant women should take care to avoid exposure when
practical. If possible, remain inside or avoid the area whenever
spraying takes place and for about thirty minutes after spraying. That
time period will greatly reduce the likelihood of your breathing
pesticide in air.
• Close windows and doors and turn off window air-conditioning units
or close their vents to circulate indoor air before spraying begins.
Windows and air-conditioner vents can be reopened about 30 minutes
after spraying.
• Anyone experiencing adverse reactions to pesticides should seek
medical care or call the Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222.

DEP will report on all spraying activities and will make the latest
information available at www.westnile.state.pa.us. The public may also
call 484-250-5824 for a recorded message that details upcoming aerial
spraying events. The recorded message will be updated daily and will
be available through the end of this week.
The best way to control mosquitoes is still to get rid of standing
water on your property. Tips for eliminating mosquito-breeding areas
are available at www.westnile.state.pa.us.
###

EDITOR'S NOTE: Aerial treatments will be provided in the following
townships and zip codes from 8 p.m. to midnight on Tuesday, Aug. 26
and Wednesday, Aug. 27.

Bucks County
Wrightstown Township
Newtown Township
Northampton Township
Warminster Township
Middletown Township
Falls Township
Upper Southampton Township
Langhorne Borough
Lower Southampton Township
Bristol Township
Langhorne Manor Borough
Penndel Borough
Tullytown Borough
Bensalem Township
Hulmeville Borough
Bristol Borough

Delaware County
Radnor Township
Newtown Township
Haverford Township
Marple Township
Upper Darby Township
Millbourne Borough
Springfield Township
Lansdowne Borough
East Lansdowne Borough
Yeadon Borough
Clifton Heights Borough
Upper Darby Township
Aldan Borough
Darby Borough
Collingdale Borough
Colwyn Borough
Darby Township
Sharon Hill Borough
Folcroft Borough
Darby Township

Montgomery County
Upper Moreland Township
Hatfield Borough
East Norriton Township
Lower Moreland Township
Bryn Athyn Borough
Abington Township
West Norriton Township
Whitemarsh Township
Plymouth Township
Norristown Borough
Upper Merion Township
Bridgeport Borough
Conshohocken Borough
Rock Ledge Borough
West Conshohocken Borough
Lower Merion Township
Narberth Borough

Philadelphia County ZIP codes
19111
19114
19115
19142
19153
19131
19136

 

[SterlingAcres]

Wow. That's too close for comfort...

My kids are covered in skito bites from 3 days ago.

 

[SuperChicken007]

Yeah but West Nile Virus even though its made a big deal about is no worse than a regular bug. Besides one in a hundred people will come down with symptoms bad enough to stay home, 10 in a hundred will mabye feel a little bit under- the - weather but nothing else besides that, and the rest wont feel a thing. And trust me, i did my reasearch.

And wait a minute (double take) If the stuff they spray is harmful to humans and they spray your hens would you still be able to eat the eggs for a day or two? And what if it hurt the chickens in some way??!?!?!?!?

i hate it when they do things unnecessarily....... i mean birds are delicate they can die of tiny things like slight fevers of bugs.

On second thought, listening to my own advice, SURE the medicine could make them feel funny or contaminate their eggs but then again they could even worse die of west nile........

 

[Jaimi]

I know a lady who, after they sprayed her neighborhood, her dog lost all his hair. She called and reported it, but "they" did nothing. They said she can't prove their stuff did it....yea right. I'd bring my hens inside.

 

[ams3651]

thanks my mom is in Montgomery county, just finished up cancer treatments and knew nothing about it.she definately shouldnt be out in it.

 

[PAChickenChick]

I just wanted to say THANK YOU for posting this very important post. I don't watch much TV and I don't read the paper. I would have missed this.

I can't thank you enough for even thinking about the welfare of my Family!

I know that they are saying the spray is harmless enough...and it might be...but I still think a bigger deal should have been made about the fact that ANYTHING is being sprayed on us.

Once again, THANK YOU for taking the time!