The West Nile virus has been detected in Delaware County.

The Delaware General Health District, which has been trapping mosquitoes throughout Delaware County this summer, said the virus has been detected in two mosquito traps — one in Berlin Township and the other in Orange Township.

All county residents are urged to protect themselves from mosquito bites, according to officials.

The most effective prevention is to eliminate standing water where mosquitoes can breed, they said. Other steps suggested include:

• Make sure your property is free of stagnant water in flower pots, bird baths, tarps, gutters and other places where it can collect.

• Avoid going outdoors early in the evening when mosquitoes are most active.

• If you do go out, wear light-colored, long-sleeved clothing and apply mosquito repellent that contains DEET or Picaridin.

In response to the detection of the West Nile virus, the health district will fog on Thursday in Berlin Township in the area south of Sherman Road, north of Plumb Road, east of Africa Road and west of 3 B’s & K Road.

On Aug. 31, the district will fog in Orange Township in the area south of Parklawn Drive, north of Powell Road, east of U.S. 23 and west of Walker Woods Boulevard.

Crews will place signs advising residents of the fogging, officials said. Fog is sprayed, starting around 9 p.m. from marked health district pickup trucks. Residents should bring children and pets indoors while fogging is being conducted.

Any resident who does not want their property sprayed is asked to call the health district at 740-368-1700 and request to be placed on the no-fog list.

Fogging will not proceed if the weather is windy or rainy. Updated fogging plans will be announced on DelawareHealth.org and the health district’s Facebook page.

This marks the first time this season the virus has been detected within the health district, officials said.