PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The Pennsylvania Department of Health has identified three additional cases of West Nile Virus in the Philadelphia area.

Two of the cases of West Nile are in Delaware County men, and the third is a woman in Centre County. All three were hospitalized with meningitis and are currently recovering.

These three cases bring the total up to five reported instances of West Nile in Pennsylvania this year. The two previous cases were in Lancaster and Franklin counties.

Department of Health Reports Human Cases of West Nile Virus in Delaware, Centre Counties.

The Department of Health recommends taking these steps to remove standing water—a breeding ground for mosquitoes—in order to avoid contracting the disease:

• Remove tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, discarded tires or any object that could collect standing water. Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors.
• Have roof gutters cleaned every year, particularly if the leaves from nearby trees have a tendency to clog the drains.
• Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
• Do not let water stagnate in birdbaths.
• Aerate ornamental pools, or stock them with fish.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, and remove standing water from pool covers.
• Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property.
• Treat standing water that cannot be eliminated with Bti products which are sold at outdoor supply, home improvement and other stores. Bti is a natural product that kills mosquito larvae, but is safe for people, pets, aquatic life and plants.