Harold N. Adel, MD, MPH
      Commissioner
      Department of Health

Andrew J. Spano
County Executive

County will Again Spray Southern Westchester at the urging of CDC and State Health Department

County Executive Andy Spano today announced that Westchester County would again spray the southern communities of the county for mosquitoes this weekend following confirmation of a ninth laboratory-positive case of West Nile-like encephalitis in an Eastchester resident. The county is taking the action at the strong urging of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New York State Health Department.

The CDC today confirmed the new case of encephalitis in a woman in her 40s. Additionally, the county's Health Department announced that three dead birds found in Scarsdale, Rye and Greenburgh have tested laboratory positive for West Nile-like virus. This brings the total number of dead birds in Westchester County that tested positive for the virus to six.

In order to comply with federal and state recommendations, all spraying currently scheduled for the North County is canceled. This includes spraying previously scheduled for Friday night, October 8, 1999 through Tuesday night, October 12, 1999. A new schedule for the northern part of the County will be released as soon as it becomes available.

The following areas in southern Westchester will be sprayed, conditions permitting, each evening starting at approximately 6:30 p.m. Every effort will be made to conclude the spraying by 9 p.m.

Friday, October 8, 1999

South of I-287 and west of the Bronx River Parkway to the Hudson River including the communities of Yonkers, Hastings, Dobbs Ferry, Irvington, Ardsley, and parts of Greenburgh, Elmsford and Tarrytown.

Saturday, October 9, 1999

I-287 and the Hutchinson River Parkway on the northern border, and east of the Bronx River Parkway to the Long Island Sound including the communities of Mount Vernon, Pelham, Pelham Manor, New Rochelle, Eastchester, Bronxville, Tuckahoe, Scarsdale, Larchmont, the Town and Village of Mamaroneck, the City of Rye, Rye Brook; Port Chester, and parts of White Plains and Harrison.

In addition to the aerial spraying, the Westchester County Department of Health is encouraging municipalities to clean out storm drains and catch basins on a routine basis. These are the areas where mosquitoes often breed.

The County continues to offer free insect repellent containing DEET, in strengths for children and adults, at local firehouses. Residents should contact their local fire departments to find out how to get the repellent.

Additional information on West Nile-like virus and mosquito spraying is found on the Westchester County Website, www.westchestergov.com. Residents can also call the Westchester County Health hotline at 285-2032 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

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