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

 

CONTACT:    DONNA GREENE                                                                            (914) 285-2935

                        MARY LANDRIGAN                                                                      (914) 637-4715

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                August 29, 2000

 

GROUND SPRAYING SCHEDULE RECONFIRMED FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30

Two More Birds Test Positive for West Nile Virus

 

 

Westchester County today reconfirmed its spraying plans for tomorrow night, Wednesday, August 30.  A repeat application of the pesticide Anvil is required for optimal efficacy, so the following communities are scheduled to be re-sprayed for adult mosquitoes between the hours of 11:30 p.m. and 4:30 a.m.:  Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown, Mt. Pleasant, Pleasantville and Irvington.   In the event that conditions do not permit the spraying of these communities to be completed on Wednesday, August 30, spraying is scheduled to be completed on Thursday, August 31.

 

The Westchester County Department of Health was notified by the New York State Department of Health today that two more birds have tested positive for West Nile virus.  The two new positive birds are a sparrow from White Plains and a crow from Scarsdale.  Plans for spraying as a result of these new birds identified with West Nile virus will be announced tomorrow. 

 

Even if it is raining on a night scheduled for pesticide application, residents in the communities being sprayed are advised to take precautions to avoid exposure to the pesticide.  These precautions include closing their windows, turning air

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conditioners off or setting them to re-circulate indoor air during the times of spraying.  Although heavy rains may be

occurring during some parts of the spray time, it may still be possible for the spraying contractors to complete their spraying during periods when the rain has diminished.

 

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 Joshua Lipsman, M.D., M.P.H., 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 have likely created new sources of standing water.  Getting rid of standing water is especially important during late August and September, a peak breeding time 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.

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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.

 

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 may 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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