First Mosquito Batches in Westchester Test Positive for West Nile Virus

The first mosquito batches this year in Westchester to test positive for West Nile Virus have been identified in Mamaroneck. The batches had been collected by Westchester County Health Department staffers in Mamaroneck and sent to the New York State Department of Health for testing. So far this year, there have been no reported human cases of West Nile Virus in Westchester County. Positive mosquito pools have already been found in Rockland, Nassau and Suffolk counties and in Queens and on Staten Island.

Last year, 32 positive mosquito batches were found in Westchester County, with the first batch identified in early August, and three human cases of West Nile virus were reported.

“We expect to find mosquitoes that carry West Nile Virus at about this time, so we hope confirmation of their presence reminds residents to take precautions,’’ said Westchester County Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD. “The best ways to avoid West Nile are to remove standing water from gutters and play equipment, empty buckets and other containers around your property and to turn over children’s pools after their use. Residents also should avoid spending time outdoors at dusk or apply insect repellents according to the label directions.’’

Street catch basins, with their ability to contain stagnant water and organic debris, have been documented as ideal breeding environments for mosquitoes – particularly the types of mosquitoes that spread West Nile virus. The health department recently finished evaluating 55,100 catch basins and applied briquettes of a long-term larvicide into 41,629 county and local municipal catch basins to prevent mosquito larvae from developing into adult mosquitoes. Those that were treated held standing water, while another 13,471 were evaluated but did not need treatment, as they did not contain standing water. Westchester County has been safely applying the same larvicide since 2001 to suppress the mosquito population.

The health department recommends residents:

• Avoid the outdoors in the early evening when mosquitoes are active and feeding. Use insect repellents when outdoors during these times, following the repellent directions. Adults can apply onto their own hands insect repellents with up to 30 percent DEET and then rub the repellent onto their children. Products containing DEET are not recommended for use on children under two months old.
• Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and socks when outdoors in areas where and at times when mosquitoes are feeding.
• Check around their property for cans, containers, ceramic pots and discard or turn over.
• Check and remove standing water from children’s toys, pools, wheelbarrows and play houses.
• Remove discarded tires.
• Drill holes in the bottoms of all recycling containers that are left outdoors.
• Change the water in birdbaths at least twice weekly.
• Sweep driveways after it rains to clear puddles.
• Keep storm drains and gutters clear of leaves and debris.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoors spas and hot tubs and drain water that collects on their covers.

Residents who notice large areas of standing water on public property that could serve as potential mosquito breeding grounds should report it to the Westchester County Department of Health by calling (914) 813-5000 or emailing the Health Department at hweb@westchestergov.com. For more information, visit the Health Department website at www.westchestergov.com/health, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wchealthdept and follow us on Twitter at @wchealthdept.