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Climate Change Driving Increase In West Nile Virus Cases Across Montco
Understanding The West Nile Virus
The West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne illness that can cause serious symptoms, including fever, headache, and body aches. In some cases, WNV can even lead to encephalitis, a potentially fatal inflammation of the brain.
Climate Change's Impact on WNV
Research has shown that climate change is leading to an increase in WNV cases in the United States. This is because warmer temperatures and more frequent rainfall create ideal conditions for mosquitoes to breed. As a result, there have been more cases of WNV in recent years, and the virus has been spreading to new areas.
WNV in Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania has been particularly hard hit by WNV in recent years. In 2022, there were 12 confirmed cases of WNV in the county, the highest number in the state. This increase in cases is likely due to the county's warm climate and abundance of mosquitoes.
Protecting Yourself from WNV
There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself from WNV, including:
- Using insect repellent.
- Wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors.
- Avoiding areas where mosquitoes are present.
- Getting vaccinated against WNV.