March 14, 2000                                                                                                 Contact Mary Landrigan

Red-tailed Hawk tests positive for                                                                  (914) 637-4715

West Nile virus

The Westchester County Department of Health was notified yesterday that a dead red-tailed hawk found in Bronxville on February 6, 2000 has tested laboratory positive for West Nile virus. The dead hawk had been taken to a Connecticut laboratory by a Westchester resident. The University of Connecticut and the Connecticut Agricultural and Experimental Station performed the testing.

"State and federal officials have been notified of the results and are evaluating potential implications of this finding," stated Patsy Yang-Lewis, Acting Commissioner for Westchester County Department of Health. "

Experts from the Centers for Disease Control and the New York State Health Department indicate that the significance of this finding is unclear. They are investigating the situation and indicate that it is highly unlikely that significant mosquito activity is occurring at this time of year. It is also possible that the hawk flew into Westchester County from a more distant location.

"However, as a result of this unexpected finding, we will immediately move up our schedule to monitor dead birds in the County," Patsy Yang-Lewis noted. "Residents should report any dead bird sightings to the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 637-4926. Appropriate specimens will be identified for testing."

"This finding reinforces the importance of the many activities underway in Westchester County to prevent the spread of West Nile virus, " stated County Executive Andrew Spano. Some of the activities already conducted under Operation Mosquito S.T.I.N.G. (Stop The Insects’ Next Generation) include:

• Issuing of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for mosquito surveillance and control

• Participation in the West Nile Virus Action Plan Workshop sponsored by the Wildlife Conservation Society

• Meetings with municipal officials and school officials to engage them in multiple activities to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds and to develop communication channels for West Nile virus updates

• Unveiling of Operation Mosquito S.T.I.N.G, the county’s plan for mosquito surveillance and control at a Press Conference held by the County Executive and Health Commissioner

• Initiation of website coverage of the campaign

• Reviewing of the RFP proposals

• Press Conference: announced partnerships with municipalities to reduce standing water and map potential mosquito breeding sites

• Initiation surveys to identify potential mosquito breeding sites

• Education and outreach to homeowners and property owners to reduce mosquito breeding sites

• Letter to municipal officials asking them to come to a meeting to discuss their participation in the search for potential mosquito sites in their community

• Final review and awarding of RFP for mosquito surveillance and control

• Search for potential mosquito breeding sites including sewage treatment plants, parklands, and sites in New Rochelle, Yonkers, and Croton with New York State Health Department. More surveillance and testing will be done when the RFPs are approved during mid-March.

• Collection and testing of over-wintering mosquitoes for West Nile virus

• Training of health department staff through DEC course on mosquito sampling techniques

• Meetings with County agencies (DEF, DPW, Parks) to request assistance with breeding site survey

• Initiation of mapping for dead birds and human cases

• Distribution of materials to municipalities, schools, environmental groups

Future activities can be found on the County website, www.westchestergov.com.

• Remove unnecessary water containers, especially old tires, cans, buckets, drums, wheelbarrows and bottles.

• Cover trash containers to keep out rain.

• Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.

• Ensure that your home has tight-fitting screens over windows and doors to keep mosquitoes from entering apartments and homes. Be sure that all screens are in good repair.

• Clean roof gutters and remove standing water from flat roofs.

• Remove standing water from your basement.

• Place a couple of capfuls of household bleach in your basement sump-pump pit if it has standing water.

• Keep drains, culverts and streams on your property clean of weeds and trash so that the water will drain properly.

• Make sure stored boat covers are completely drained. Store small boats upside down.

• Drain the water in birdbaths, plant pots and drip trays twice a week.

• Keep grass cut short and trim shrubs to eliminate hiding places for adult mosquitoes.

• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. Be sure rainwater does not collect on pool, sauna or hot tub covers. You should disinfect the cover with bleach to kill larvae and eggs.

• Clean vegetation and debris from the edges of ponds.

• Fill in hollow tree stumps and rot holes that hold water with sand or concrete.

• Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept outdoors.

For more information, contact the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000 or visit our website at www.westchestergov.com/health.

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