A total of 20 positive West Nile virus samples were collected in Schuylkill County for the 2021 season.

Schuylkill Haven had six positive samples, Cressona, 5; Tamaqua, 4; Pottsville, 2; Mahanoy, 2, and Auburn, 1.

Statewide, there were 2,307 positive mosquito samples. Bucks County had the most with 314, while York County was second with 266, Philadelphia third with 259. Closer to home, Carbon had 0, Monroe, 20, Lehigh, 129, and Northampton, 39, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection.

The virus is named after the river in Egypt where it was first identified. It causes flu like symptoms and can cause swelling of the brain. Within three to 14 days symptoms can appear. The virus was first reported in Pennsylvania in 2000. People become infected when a mosquito bites them.

Kyle Schutt, insect management technician with the Schuylkill Conservation District, said the “fairly dry summer” led to the low numbers. Last year, two positives were found countywide.

“We are officially in the off season now,” he said.

Setting Gravid traps ended Oct. 1. Collection efforts ceased Oct. 15. Schutt said the most significant rainfall for the season was in August with Hurricane Ida. There were 21 adult control events where spray was discharged from a truck to quickly kill mosquitoes and numerous barrier treatments, which involve Schutt using a backpack blower to spray treatments over areas to blanket them. Also, 73 larval applications were made to combat the spread of the virus in areas of standing water such as tires.

In Tamaqua, the last sample was collected Sept. 22 and reported Sept. 27. Positive samples were collected Sept. 3 in Auburn and reported Sept. 13. Two samples were found in Cressona Sept. 10 and reported Sept. 16. Schuylkill Haven’s were collected Sept. 14 and reported Sept.20.