West Nile Virus Found in Allegheny County Mosquito Sample
Published on June 08, 2026
Point Breeze Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile Virus
PITTSBURGH – Mosquitoes collected in Point Breeze by the Allegheny County Health Department’s (ACHD) Vector Control Program tested positive for West Nile Virus. The mosquitoes were collected on May 27, 2026, and the results of the testing were shared with the health department today (June 8, 2026).
West Nile Virus is the leading mosquito borne disease in the United States. It is spread to people by bites from infected mosquitoes. Cases of West Nile Virus occur during mosquito season, which starts in Spring and continues through Fall.
“Generally, the species of mosquitoes that carry West Nile Virus are active from dusk to dawn,” explained ACHD Vector Control Specialist Nicholas Baldauf. “Residents can prevent mosquito bites by using insect repellent on exposed skin or choosing to wear long sleeves and pants. Both methods are effective at reducing or eliminating the possibility of getting a mosquito bite.”
Most people infected with West Nile Virus do not feel sick. Only one in five people infected with the virus develop a fever and other symptoms, such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Less than one percent of infected people develops serious illnesses.
There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat West Nile Virus. Residents who believe they, or someone they know, have West Nile Virus should consult a health care provider for evaluation and diagnosis.
“County residents play an important role when it comes to reducing the area’s mosquito population,” said Baldauf. “Mosquitoes can breed in as little as a half inch of stagnant water, so residents should pay close attention to potential breeding sites like stagnant water in tires, unused swimming pools, buckets, corrugated piping, and clogged gutters.”
Residents can report mosquito breeding sites on both private properties and public areas to the ACHD’s Housing and Community Environment Program by completing its online form or calling 412-350-4046.
The Allegheny County Health Department’s Vector Control Program uses larvicide every spring to treat wetlands and catch basins known to be breeding sites throughout the county. The health department will continue to set mosquito traps as part of its ongoing vector-borne disease surveillance efforts. Surveillance efforts involve staff trapping mosquitoes to monitor the spread of West Nile Virus and other viruses that can infect people and animals. These efforts are an effective tool for quantifying the risk of human transmission of mosquito borne diseases, as well as informing ACHD decisions regarding the need for and timing of intervention activities, such as nighttime mosquito spraying. Learn more about ACHD Pest Control.
A public health vector is a living organism (like a mosquito) that can transmit infectious diseases between humans or from animals to humans. Learn more about Vector-Borne Diseases in Allegheny County.
For more information on West Nile Virus, including frequently asked questions about prevention, symptoms, and transmission, visit the CDC’s West Nile Virus webpage.
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The Allegheny County Health Department's mission is to protect, promote, and preserve the health and well-being of the more than 1.2 million people who call Allegheny County home.
Media inquiries may be directed to Ronnie Das,
Public Information Officer for the Health Department,
at ronnie.das@alleghenycounty.us or by phone at 412-578-7991.