WOZNIAK ANNOUNCES WEST NILE PREVENTION GRANTS HARRISBURG, April 2, 2008 – State Sen. John N. Wozniak announced today that all counties in his district will receive state help in preventing the spread of West Nile virus. “Mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus don’t recognize municipal or county lines,” Wozniak said. “The key to protecting vulnerable citizens is a regional approach to controlling the mosquito population. These grants will make sure that happens.” In 2006, nine Pennsylvanians were diagnosed with the virus, and two died. Last year, though, nine state residents contracted the virus but there were no deaths. “Like the flu, the West Nile virus is especially dangerous to seniors and others with vulnerable immune systems,” Wozniak said. “We are using environmentally safe and effective control procedures to protect our seniors.” In humans, the virus can cause West Nile fever and encephalitis, an infection that can cause inflammation of the brain and death. Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental protection and county staff, supported by the grants, use the naturally-occurring bacteria Bti and Bsph to kill mosquito larvae. These bacteria attack the digestive system of the mosquito larvae, and have no effect on people, animals or plants. Another larval control product is the insect juvenile hormone, methoprene, which prevents the mosquito larvae from developing into adults. The products used to kill adult mosquitoes, likewise, are selected based on their environmental sensitivity and are applied so they do not harm people, animals, or plants. Wozniak urged residents to take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites by draining standing water when possible and wearing insect repellent when outdoors. Counties receiving the grants include: Cambria $93,512.50 Centre $93,820.20 Clearfield $71,105.00 Clinton $37,268.25 Somerset $83,872.00