news release

 

ANDREW J. SPANO, Westchester County Executive

JOSHUA LIPSMAN, M.D., M.P.H., Commissioner of Health

 SUSAN TOLCHIN, Director of Communications

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                  September 1, 2005  

           

 

FIRST HUMAN CASE OF WEST NILE VIRUS IN PORT CHESTER

MOSQUITO BATCHES COLLECTED IN MOUNT VERNON, YONKERS & NEW ROCHELLE

TEST POSITIVE FOR WEST NILE VIRUS

No Spraying Planned

 

            The Westchester County Department of Health has been notified that a 61 year-old woman from Port Chester has tested positive for West Nile virus.  The woman was hospitalized, but is currently recovering at home.  The woman has recent travel history and may have contracted West Nile virus outside of Westchester County.  This is the first identified human case in a Westchester County resident this year.   In addition, eleven more mosquito batches have tested positive for West Nile virus: four were found in Mount Vernon, two were found in Yonkers and five were found in New Rochelle.  The positive mosquito batches were collected for testing between August 10th and August 24th.  This brings the total number of positive mosquito batches found in Westchester County this year up to 28. 

Health Commissioner Dr. Joshua Lipsman urges residents to remain vigilant against West Nile virus.  “This is peak mosquito season and these findings are to be expected at this time of the year.  This week’s anticipated rainfall due to Tropical Storm Katrina, coupled with the predicted warm and humid weather, make the upcoming weeks ideal conditions for mosquito breeding,” said Dr. Lipsman.  “These findings should serve as a reminder that residents need to get rid of any standing water on their property or in their neighborhoods, and to take personal protection measures against mosquito bites while in their homes and when spending time outdoors.” 

The Health Department has inspected the area surrounding the woman’s home and did not identify any potential mosquito breeding ground areas.  Because these positive mosquito batches were found in similar sites as previous batches, the Health Department staff has recently re-surveyed the areas where the positive batches of mosquitoes were found.  Catch basins where mosquito larvae were found have been re-treated with larvicide.   Any other identified standing water areas that could serve as potential breeding sites are being remediated.  No spraying is planned at this time.

The best way to prevent West Nile virus is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.  Residents should visit the Health
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Human Case of WNV Pg. 2

Department’s website or call for a list of ways to avoid mosquito bites, such as using insect repellent or avoiding the outdoors during the time when mosquitoes are most active.  Also important, is the need to remove any potential mosquito breeding site or standing water area in and around homes and neighborhoods.   Residents who notice large areas of standing water that could serve as potential mosquito breeding grounds should report this information to the Health Department by calling (914) 813-5000 or online through its internet site, www.westchestergov.com/health. 

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