Dangerous Mosquito-borne virus detected again in Crawford County, PA

Even though the season's may be changing, that doesn't mean the risk to catch a mosquito-borne disease has changed.

The Mercer County Conservation District say health officials have detected the Jamestown Canyon Virus (JCV) once again in Vernon Township.

Health officials say JCV can lead to severe health complications, in the county. 

While there still has not been a human case, this is the third sample taken in the county to test positive for the disease.

Additional monitoring will be done in the area where these mosquito samples were collected and appropriate control work will be conducted, depending on the number and types of mosquitoes that are found.

JCV is a mosquito-borne orthobunyavirus first identified in Jamestown Canyon, Colorado, in 1961. 

Most people do not develop symptoms while some will have fever, headache, and fatigue.

Respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, or runny nose may also occur. Jamestown Canyon virus can cause severe disease, including infection of the brain (encephalitis) or the membranes around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).

The Mercer County Conservation District says the detection of Jamestown Canyon virus in Crawford County does not indicate an immediate or
widespread threat to the public but is a result of additional testing capacities as a part of the statewide Mosquito Disease Control program.