Andrew J. Spano
County Executive

The Westchester County Department of Health provides public health updates to members of the community on important issues affecting public health in Westchester

The Westchester County Department of Health today received notification of two confirmed and one highly probable case of St. Louis encephalitis in Westchester residents. Westchester County Executive Andrew J. Spano and Health Commissioner Dr. Harold N. Adel urgently request that you activate your police force and municipal staff to notify residents of the following communities that aerial mosquito spraying will be conducted later this week . The exact spraying schedule will be announced as soon as it has been determined when weather conditions will be satisfactory.

Areas to be sprayed:

1. South of I-287 from the Hudson River to the Long Island Sound to the Bronx border, and
2. The area of Port Chester, Harrison, and RyeBrook south of the Hutchinson River Parkway from the Connecticut border to the Long Island Sound

The areas to be sprayed have been determined in consultation with the New York State Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control for effective control of mosquitoes. Our preference is to use pyrethroid insecticides similar to plant-based pyrethin insecticides. These will be applied aerially later this week, during the hours after dark, at a time to be determined based on optimal weather conditions.

Pyrethroid insecticides are commonly used in over-the-counter ant and roach sprays. They are the least toxic materials available for the purpose. Pyrethroids are similar to plant-based insecticides, it can aggravate allergic reactions such as hay fever or asthma in some sensitive individuals.

The Westchester County St. Louis Encephalitis Hotline, 285-2032, will be activated to answer questions regarding the mosquito spraying and St. Louis encephalitis on Tuesday, September 21, 1999 from noon to 10 pm; and on Wednesday, September 22, 1999 through Friday, September 24, 1999 from 10 am through 10 pm.