news release
ANDREW J. SPANO, Westchester County Executive  JOSHUA LIPSMAN, M.D., M.P.H., Commissioner of Health SUSAN TOLCHIN, Director of Communications

 

CONTACT:    SUSAN TOLCHIN                                                                            (914) 285-2932

MARY LANDRIGAN                                                                                             (914) 637-4715

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                July 12, 2000

 

 

                                               Red Tailed Hawk Tests Positive

CDC Experts Coming to Consult on West Nile Virus in the Region

 

The Westchester County Department of Health today was notified by the New York State Health Department  that a red-tailed hawk from Pound Ridge has tested positive for West Nile virus.  Experts from the Centers for Disease Control and the New York State Department of Health will be coming to Westchester County next week to help assess the effectiveness of preventive measures in the region.  They will be conducting mosquito and wild bird studies in Rockland and Westchester Counties, New York City, Long Island, and in Bergen County, New Jersey to help assess the presence of West Nile virus in our area.

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“Along with the other regional health departments, Westchester County welcomes the expertise that Centers for Disease Control and the New York State Department of Health bring in evaluating our ongoing plans for West Nile virus prevention.  We look forward to their analysis and recommendations,” stated Dr. Joshua Lipsman, Commissioner of Health.

 

The dead hawk was submitted for testing on June 20, 2000.  This is the second confirmation of West Nile Virus in a bird in Westchester County this season.  A crow from New Rochelle submitted for testing on June 22, 2000 tested positive for West Nile virus on July 7, 2000.  No positive mosquitoes or human cases of West Nile Virus

have been detected in the County.

 

“Westchester County has been preparing for this eventuality for months.  We have our systems in place already.  Under Operation Mosquito S.T.I.N.G. (Stop The Insects Next Generation), we have applied larvicide (to kill immature mosquitoes)  to catch basins countywide and have been collecting mosquitoes and dead birds for testing,” stated Dr. Lipsman.   

 

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“Because West Nile virus is showing signs of reappearing this year, it is important that residents take

precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes and help eliminate standing water.  Additionally, Westchester County has been working closely with the State, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other partners to proceed with its plan to prevent human cases of West Nile Virus illness,”  continued Dr. Lipsman.

 

 The Health Department is encouraging residents to report dead birds through the West Nile Virus Hotline at (914) 637-2420. Depending on the species and condition of the birds, the Health Department will be collecting and testing some of these birds.  Not all birds will be collected, but the information about where the birds are being found is very helpful to the Health Department.  A dead bird does not represent a health risk to anyone.  It cannot transmit West Nile Virus to people or pets. 

 

At this time, there is no indication that spraying for adult mosquitoes is needed. The Westchester County Department of Health will continue to monitor the test results from mosquitoes, birds and sentinel chickens.

 

A wealth of information on West Nile virus can be found on the Health Department’s website www.westchestergov.com/health and on the West Nile Virus Hotline which can be reached by calling (914) 637-2420.

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