The West Nile virus has been found again in Tamaqua.

Spraying for the virus occurred Thursday in the area south of Route 209, Kyle Schutt, insect management technician with the Schuylkill Conservation District and coordinator for the virus program in the county said. The application, which will use ultra low volume spray in the evening, is the result of the “last couple of weeks of positive samples,” he said.

Tropical Depression Ida came through the county last week drenching the area in several inches of rain.

“It definitely created more mosquito habitat,” he said of standing water.

As of Sept. 2, the most recent data available, 15 positive samples have been found in the county. The virus is named after the river in Egypt where it was first identified. It causes flu like symptoms and can cause swelling of the brain. Within three to 14 days symptoms can appear. The virus was first reported in Pennsylvania in 2000. People become infected when a mosquito bites them.

The first positive sample in 2021 was collected Aug. 5 in Cressona and returned Aug. 9

Most recently, 11 positive samples have been identified. In Cressona and Schuylkill Haven positive samples were collected on Aug. 24 and reported Aug. 26. The virus was found in Mahanoy City Aug. 26 and results returned Aug. 31. It was found Aug. 26 in Tamaqua and reported Aug. 31. Positive samples were collected Aug. 31 and returned Sept. 2 in Tamaqua, Schuylkill Haven, Cressona and Pottsville.

Schutt said traps were not set this week until Thursday because of the larval treatment of water in recently in Tamaqua, Pine Grove, Schuylkill Haven and Ashland. Spraying for adult mosquitoes was done in Cressona and Schuylkill Haven.

In all, 10 fixed sites exist in the county, five in Pottsville, two in Schuylkill Haven, two in Cressona and one in Tamaqua. Schutt also selects five municipalities countywide weekly for sample testing.

Schutt said “there could be pockets of standing water we don’t know about” leading to more potential West Nile. He urged people to empty outside containers and be aware of mosquito breeding grounds. They are most active at dawn and dusk. When nighttime temperatures get in the 40s then the mosquito population will start to diminish, he said. Usually mosquito season lasts until October.

“It’s really dependent on the weather,” he said.

So far, 1,615 positive mosquito samples have been found. Lehigh has 112 cases; Monroe 8; and Northampton 25. There is no surveillance in Carbon County, according the state website.

Last year, 631 positive cases of the virus were found in the state, the Department of Environmental Protection said.