The Westchester County Department of Health today reconfirmed that the communities of Rye Brook, Port Chester, Mount Vernon, Pelham Manor, Pelham Village and Irvington are scheduled to be re-sprayed for adult mosquitoes tonight, Monday, August 21^st, between the hours of 11:30pm and 4:30 am. If conditions do not permit the spraying of these communities to be completed tonight, Monday, August 21^st, spraying is scheduled to be completed on Wednesday, August 23^rd.

The Westchester County Department of Health was notified by the New York State Department of Health today that three more birds have tested positive for West Nile virus. The three new positive birds are all crows. Two crows were collected from Sleepy Hollow and one crow was collected from Mount Pleasant. Communities to be sprayed as a result of these new birds identified with West Nile virus and the dates for spraying will be announced tomorrow.

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.

Westchester County Commissioner of Health Dr. Joshua Lipsman is urging 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, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt 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 form 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 hollow tree stumps and rot holes that hold water with either sand or concrete.

While the vast majority of people who are infected with West Nile virus have either no symptoms, or mild symptoms. The State Health Department advises that people who are most susceptible to the virus should try to avoid the outdoors when mosquitoes are most active and feeding. This includes older residents, young children, those with chronic illness or those taking medications that impair the immune system. These groups, especially, should take personal protection measures to reduce the risk of infection, the State Health Commissioner reports.

Residents are also encouraged to report potential mosquito breeding sites, as well as dead birds, to the Westchester County Department of Health by calling the West Nile Virus Information Line at (914) 637-2420. Residents can also call the Information line for the most recent information on West Nile virus, or they can visit the Health Department’s website at www.westchestergov.com/health.

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