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                                                                           

                           MARY LANDRIGAN                                                                    

                                                                                                                                      (914) 813-5000 (After Hours)

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                  May 20, 2004                      

 

FIRST WEST NILE POSITIVE BIRD REPORTED FOR 2004 IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY

Residents Encouraged to Eliminate & Report Standing Water

Catch Basin Larviciding Underway

 

The Westchester County Department of Health has received notification from the New York State Department of Health that a crow found in Yorktown has tested positive for the West Nile virus.  This is the first confirmation of West Nile virus in a bird in Westchester County this year.  The dead crow was found on May 8. 

Now that mosquito season is here, County Executive Andy Spano is asking the public to help Westchester in its fight against West Nile virus. 

 “It is important that County residents help us fight West Nile virus by eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites around their homes and neighborhoods and that they report standing water that is not easily eliminated,” stated County Executive Andy Spano.  “Residents can report this important information to the Health Department by calling the 24-hour Public Health Information Line at (914) 813-5609.  Forms for reporting standing water are also provided on the Health Department’s website at www.westchestergov.com/health,” said Spano.

The Health Department is not collecting any dead birds from residents for testing this year, however, it is still important that dead birds be reported for tracking purposes.  Any resident that sees a dead bird is asked to call the United States Department of Agriculture, toll free at 1-866-537-2473 to report the sighting. 

The County’s catch basin larviciding program to prevent mosquito larvae from developing into adult mosquitoes is currently underway.  Certified technicians from the Westchester County Department of Health have begun applying

briquettes of the larvicide Altosid (methoprene) into state, county and local municipal catch basins as part of its effort to prevent the spread of West Nile Virus. Additionally, on a case-by-case basis, the control agents Vectolex CG, Vectobac G and Bactimos Briquettes may also be used.

MORE

 

FIRST WNV POSITIVE BIRD P.2

Larviciding has begun with the municipal storm water catch basins in the northern area of the county and will proceed south until all of the county's municipal catch basins have been completed.  A map of areas receiving larvicide treatment can be viewed at the offices of the Westchester County Health Department, 145 Huguenot Street, New Rochelle, N.Y. during the hours of 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Mosquitoes capable of carrying West Nile virus lay their eggs in stagnant water.  The eggs can develop in any pool or puddle of water that stands undisturbed for more than four days.  While mosquitoes will breed in any untreated water, old tires, when left outside, serve as extremely popular breeding grounds for mosquitoes that can carry the West Nile virus.  To find out where you can recycle old tires in your area, you can view a list of tire reception centers on the Health Department’s website, www.westchestergov.com/health, or call the County’s Household Chemical Information Line at (914) 813-5425 for the location nearest you.     

The Health Department also recommends doing the following around the outside of your home:    

 

For additional information on West Nile Virus, call the Public Health Information Line at (914) 813-5609, or visit the Health Department’s website at www.westchestergov.com/health.

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