Puzzling Results In Local War Against the West Nile Virus - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

The local battle against the West Nile Virus is taking on increased importance following more than two dozen deaths in Texas and other states. And the local picture is puzzling.

 The Erie County Health Department is finding fewer mosquitos in the traps it sets throughout the county, and in checks of standing water. But a higher percentage of mosquitos have tested positive for the virus.

 Twenty-six local batches of mosquitoes plus 8 birds have tested positive, despite drier than normal conditions.

Jeff Bressling of the Erie County Health Department said, "We consider it to be very different because the mosquito count numbers are down. But we still have as much virus already as we did last year. And we still have 4-6 weeks left in the season."

 So far, no humans have tested positive for the virus in the county.