The Westchester County Department of Health announced today that a dead bird submitted for testing from Chappaqua on October 5, 1999 tested laboratory positive for West Nile-like virus.

This brings the total number of dead birds in Westchester County which tested positive for the West Nile-like virus to eight. This is the second bird north of I-287 confirmed with the West Nile-like virus. In addition to Chappaqua, the other dead birds which tested positive for West Nile-like virus were found in the following communities: two in Scarsdale and one each in Rye, Greenburgh, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle and Armonk.

"The presence of dead birds in a community is good indicator that West Nile-like virus may be in the area and can be transmitted though mosquito bites," stated Dr. Ada Huang, Deputy Commissioner of Disease Control for the Westchester County Department of Health. "Although this dead bird was collected in Chappaqua before mosquito spraying was conducted in that area, residents are still urged to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites."

Westchester County advises residents to take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes both day and night. These include:

Wear long sleeved shirts, long pants and socks when outdoors and use mosquito repellent on exposed skin.

Use insect repellent with no more than 30% DEET, but use it sparingly and with care.

(Products containing 15% or less DEET are recommended for children, but products containing

DEET should not be used on infants. Carefully read and follow directions on the container and

wash treated skin when mosquito exposure has ended.

Avoid unnecessary outdoor activity in areas that are likely mosquito habitats such as woods or wetlands.

Ensure that your home has tight-fitting screens over windows and doors to keep mosquitoes from entering apartments and homes.

Here is what residents can do to control mosquitoes:

Remove unnecessary water-holding containers, especially old tires, cans, buckets, drums, wheelbarrows and bottles.

Cover your trash containers to keep out rain.

Empty plastic wading pools at least once a week, or drain completely if not in use.

Clean roof gutters and remove standing water from flat roofs.

Remove standing water from your basement.

Place a couple capfuls of household bleach in your basement sump-pump pit if it has standing water.

Keep drains, culverts and streams on your property clean of weeds and trash so that the water will drain properly.

Make sure stored boat covers are completely drained. Store small boats upside down.

Drain the water in birdbaths, plant pots and drip trays weekly.

Keep grass cut short and trim shrubs to eliminate hiding places for adult mosquitoes.

Drain swimming pools or cover them tightly and be sure rainwater does not collect on the cover. You should disinfect the cover with bleach to kill larvae and eggs.

Fill in hollow tree stumps and rot holes that hold water with sand or concrete.

The County is offering 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 Health Department Website, www.westchestergov.com. Residents can also call the encephalitis hotline at 285-2032 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.