City of Reading Takes Precautions Against West Nile Virus Following Positive Mosquito Test

The City of Reading has detected West Nile Virus in a mosquito pool. Residents are advised to stay indoors during dusk-to-dawn hours, wear protective clothing, use insect repellent, and eliminate standing water on their property. The risk of transmission is low, but continued virus activity could require adult mosquito control measures. For more information, visit the PA DEP Homeowner Mosquito Guide or contact the Berks County Conservation District at 610-372-4657.

The City of Reading has reported the detection of West Nile Virus in a mosquito pool, prompting health officials to issue precautionary measures to residents. The Berks County Conservation District, in collaboration with the Public Works Department, has confirmed the presence of the virus, which poses a low risk of transmission but may necessitate adult mosquito control measures if virus activity continues.

Residents are advised to take several preventive steps to minimize the risk of infection:
- Stay indoors during dusk-to-dawn hours, when mosquito activity is highest.
- Wear long sleeves, pants, and closed-toed shoes when outdoors.
- Use insect repellent containing at least 30% DEET.
- Eliminate standing water from their property to prevent mosquito breeding.

For more information, residents can visit the PA DEP Homeowner Mosquito Guide or contact the Berks County Conservation District at 610-372-4657 [1].

Global Efforts to Combat Mosquito-Borne Diseases

The detection of West Nile Virus in Reading underscores the global urgency to combat mosquito-borne infectious diseases. Seek Labs, a biotech company based in Salt Lake City, has made significant strides in identifying high-burden mosquito-borne diseases using its BioSeeker™ technology. BioSeeker™ has successfully mapped targets for Chikungunya, West Nile Virus, and Zika, paving the way for programmable therapeutics that could be deployed to combat these diseases [2].

Seek Labs' CEO, Jared Bauer, emphasized the importance of their work: "Mosquito-borne diseases are among the most complex and under-addressed in global health. BioSeeker gives us a global vantage point and a tactical advantage: we know where to strike, and we have the tools to do it."

Local and Regional Response

The City of Richardson, Texas, has also taken proactive measures to control the spread of West Nile Virus. The Richardson Health Department plans to spray targeted neighborhoods twice this week, weather permitting, to help prevent the spread of the virus. The spraying schedule and locations are available on the City of Richardson's website [3].

Conclusion

The detection of West Nile Virus in Reading highlights the need for vigilance and preventive measures. As global efforts to combat mosquito-borne diseases continue to advance, local health departments play a crucial role in protecting communities from these potentially deadly threats.

References

[1] https://www.readingeagle.com/2025/08/08/west-nile-virus-detected-in-reading/
[2] https://www.morningstar.com/news/business-wire/20250805598343/seek-labs-maps-high-burden-mosquito-borne-infectious-diseases-with-bioseeker-accelerating-therapeutic-discovery-for-chikungunya-west-nile-virus-and-zika
[3] https://www.cor.net/Home/Components/News/News/8269/73