WHITE PLAINS, NY — County Executive Robert P. Astorino and the Westchester County Department of Health continue to advise county residents on how to protect themselves from mosquito bites this season.
“The county is working diligently to address Zika through education, surveillance and mosquito control,” said Astorino. “Although there are currently no locally-acquired cases of Zika or West Nile Virus in Westchester County, we encourage our residents to do their best to avoid mosquito bites.”
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises pregnant women to avoid travel to Zika-affected areas, including the Wynwood neighborhood in Miami. Couples planning a pregnancy are advised to avoid pregnancy for eight weeks after they travel to regions where Zika is spreading. Residents who return from these areas are also urged to use repellents daily for three weeks after their return to protect their families and communities.
Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD, said that additional advice to help residents avoid Zika can also help them steer clear of West Nile Virus, which typically appears in our region at this time of year.
Both Rockland County and New York City have reported several batches of mosquitoes that have tested positive for West Nile Virus. The mosquitoes were collected in Orangetown the week of July 10 and on Staten Island, Queens and in the north Bronx in June and July. While no mosquitoes found in Westchester County have tested positive for the virus to date, this is the time of year when the Health Department expects to find them.
“Given the fact that our neighbors have reported positive mosquitoes, it is safe to assume that mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus are also present here in Westchester County,” Amler said. “The recent rain provides optimal breeding conditions for mosquitoes that can carry viruses. I urge all residents to remove standing water from their property, ensure their window screens are tight-fitting and free of tears and to use repellents appropriately to avoid mosquito bites when spending time outdoors here or when they travel.”
Last year, 17 positive mosquito batches of West Nile were found in Westchester County and two human cases were reported. This year, the health department has sent 168 batches of mosquitoes for testing since it began collecting them in early June, and will continue collecting batches of mosquitoes throughout the season.
As part of its integrated pest management strategy, the Health Department evaluated 59,530 catch basins. Of those, nearly 42,534 were treated with larvicide.The department also gave away 400 pounds of free minnows to property owners with ponds. The minnows reduce the mosquito population by feeding on larvae and pupae before they emerge into adult mosquitoes. Once positive pools are identified, the Department will also send out inspectors to locate and eradicate standing water. If needed, storm drains in the area will be retreated with larvicide.
To help eliminate mosquito breeding grounds:
· Remove standing water around your home. After it rains, walk around and look for toys, flower pots or similar water-holding containers that should be overturned or put away to avoid collecting water.
· Cover outdoor trash containers and drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers left outdoors.
· Clean roof gutters and remove standing water from flat roofs.
· Drain water in bird baths, plant pots and drip trays twice a week.
· Sweep driveways of puddles after it rains.
· Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. Keep them empty and covered if not in use and drain water that collects in pool covers.
To reduce your risk of mosquito bites:
Use insect repellent or avoid the outdoors in the late afternoon and early evening when mosquitoes are active and feeding.
Be sure to follow the instructions on the label. Adults can apply insect repellents with up to 30 percent DEET on infants over two months of age by applying the product to their own hands and then rubbing their hands on their children. Products containing DEET are not recommended for use on children under two months of age.
· Wash treated skin when mosquito exposure has ended.
Wear protective clothing, such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts and socks when outdoors and at times when mosquitoes are active.
Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens and repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.