3 Bethlehem Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile

State officials report three West Nile Virus mosquito positives this week - two in Bethlehem and one in Bethlehem Township. There were also three positives in the Bethlehem area around Aug. 22.

Spraying to knock down the local mosquito population took place in the township on Wednesday.

A second Lehigh County man was sickened by West Nile Virus, according to information released Monday by the Pa. Department of Environmental Protection. The CDC last week proclaimed to be the most widespread ever in the United States.

The latest local man to be infected was not hospitalized, according to state health officials, who would not release his age or location more specific than the county.

Fifteen human cases of West Nile have now been reported in the state - an infection rate on track to exceed the most West Nile cases ever by the end of the year. The latest cases were reported Thursday in Delaware County and Lancaster County.

Human cases were also reported from Luzerne and Chester counties on Monday.

The  occurred around Aug. 15 and involved a middle-aged man who was hospitalized with meningitis as a result of West Nile.

Spraying to knock down mosquitoes is scheduled in Upper Macungie and South Whitehall townships this week.

Last year, Pennsylvania had seven human cases of West Nile, down from 28 in 2010.

 where mosquitoes can breed on their property.