West Nile Virus warning

HARRISBURG (AP) — Pennsylvania officials are warning people to minimize their exposure to mosquitoes as testing is underway to confirm the suspected first case of human West Nile virus infection in the state this year.

The state is checking the case of an Allegheny County resident, sending samples to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Officials say recent heavy rains are creating conditions for the spread of West Nile. It’s infected more than 150 people in the state over the past six years.

The Department of Environmental Protection says it has found mosquitoes infected with the virus in 51 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.

Limiting skin exposure and the use of insect repellants can help combat the spread of the virus.

By the numbers

State total: 6,270 tested, 1,425 positive (23 birds positive for West Nile, 1 human positive for West Nile (Allegheny County])

Carbon County: 5 mosquitoes tested, 1 positive for West Nile

Lehigh: 188 tested, 33 positive

Monroe: 75 tested, 6 positive

Northampton: 125 tested, 21 positive

Schuylkill: 106 tested, 18 positive (1 bird positive for West Nile)