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

                        DONNA GREENE                                                                            (914) 285-2935

VALERIE GOLDSTEIN (Health)                                                    (914) 637-4715

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                August 7, 2000

WESTCHESTER RECONFIRMS GROUND SPRAYING SCHEDULE FOR TUESDAY, AUG. 8

Health Commissioner Reminds Residents to Take Steps to Protect Themselves from Mosquitoes and to Empty Standing Water

 

Westchester County today reconfirmed that the second round of spraying for adult mosquitoes is scheduled, weather permitting, for the following communities tomorrow (Tuesday, Aug. 8), between the hours of 11:30 p.m. and 4:30 a.m.:

·        Briarcliff Manor

·        Dobbs Ferry

·        Hastings

·        Both the Town and Village of Ossining

·        A small section of southern White Plains that was not sprayed on Aug. 2.

At the same time, the County’s Health Commissioner, Dr. Joshua Lipsman, urged residents to take extra precautions to protect themselves from mosquitoes and clear their property of standing water where mosquitoes could breed.

The proper use of the pesticide Anvil requires two applications. The above areas have all previously been sprayed once to prevent the spread of the West Nile virus. If  bad weather prevents spraying from being completed Tuesday, the above communities will be resprayed Wednesday, Aug. 9.  Information regarding this will be provided the morning of Aug. 9.

Attached is a map of the section of White Plains that remains to be resprayed. This map is viewable in color and in a larger size on the County’s website: www.westchestergov.com/health .The section is in the southern part of the city bounded on the:

·        East by North Street from the Hutchinson River Parkway to Maple Moor Lane

·        North by Maple Moor Lane to Sammis Lane to Branch Brook Road ending at the City Line

·        West by the White Plains City Line

·        South by the White Plains City Line as it follows along the Hutchinson River Parkway to the intersection of North Street.

Dr. Lipsman urged all residents to be vigilant about taking personal protection measures and to eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites around their homes. Personal mosquito protection measures include wearing shoes, socks and long pants and long sleeves so that a minimal amount of skin is exposed and vulnerable to mosquito bites, and considering the use of an insect repellent containing DEET according to label directions.

Residents are also urged to intensify their efforts to eliminate possible mosquito-breeding sites around their homes. “The heavy amounts of rainfall we received over the past few weeks has likely created new sources of standing water. Getting rid of standing water is especially important during August, which is one of the peak breeding times for the mosquito,” said Dr. Lipsman.

      Residents are asked to re-inspect areas around their homes to remove water from cans, jars, old tires, clogged roof gutters, yard decorations, or any other outdoor containers; remove any standing water from the basement; clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs regularly; make sure that rainwater does not collect on pool, sauna or hot tub covers; and keep outdoor trash containers covered so that rainwater will not collect inside them and filling in hollow tree stumps and rot holes that hold water with either sand or concrete.

All County ground spraying operations are subject to the weather and to the availability of specially-equipped spraying vehicles from the contractor. The County will be ground spraying with Anvil, a synthetic pyrethroid that is one of the least toxic pesticides available. The ingredients in Anvil are commonly used and found in products that combat fleas and ticks on pets.  When Anvil is used to combat West Nile virus, it is used in very low concentrations.  Most people will not experience any irritating effects so long as they are not normally sensitive to pesticides, plant pollen, hairspray, petroleum solvents or household cleaning products. For the most recent information, call the Health Department’s West Nile Virus Information Line at (914) 637-2420 or visit the Health Department’s website at www.westchestergov.com/health.