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 August 25, 2004

FIRST HUMAN CASE OF WEST NILE VIRUS REPORTED

IN A WESTCHESTER COUNTY RESIDENT THIS YEAR

No Spraying Planned

The Westchester County Department of Health has been notified that an 83-year-old man from Mamaroneck has tested positive for West Nile virus, marking the first identified human case in a Westchester County resident this year. While the man is a resident of Westchester County, it is unknown if he acquired the virus locally or during his recent travel to an area with ongoing West Nile virus activity.

“On July 28, this gentleman left Westchester County to travel to the Midwest, where he began exhibiting vague symptoms associated with West Nile virus on August 9,” said Dr. Joshua Lipsman, Commissioner of Health for Westchester County. “Given the timeframe of his travel and the onset of symptoms, there is no way to determine for certain if he was infected here in Westchester County or during his travel in the Midwest.”

“The Health Department is conducting environmental assessments of the areas in Westchester where this individual may have been exposed and so far has found no signs of mosquito breeding activity in the immediate vicinity” continued Dr. Lipsman. “In fact, mosquito activity overall has been particularly low in Westchester County this season. Out of the 383 mosquito batches that have been tested so far this season, none have come back positive for West Nile virus. By this time last year, there had already been ten positive mosquito batches identified. In addition, it is also important to note that the volume of mosquitoes being collected from our traps this season has been consistently low as well.”

Based on the absence of documented West Nile virus activity among mosquitoes and humans in Westchester, no spraying is planned at this time.

Even though mosquito control efforts have been successful in reducing the mosquito population thus far, Dr. Lipsman reminds residents that it is still important that residents remain vigilant in their efforts to reduce their risk of

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FIRST WNV HUMAN CASE P.2 

West Nile virus. This is particularly important during the late summer weeks because this has historically been peak mosquito season in Westchester County.  The Health Department recommends that residents take the following personal protection measures against mosquito bites.

• Avoid outdoor activities in places and during times where and when mosquitoes are active and feeding.

· Use insect repellents with no more than 30% DEET, but use them sparingly and with care. Select the lowest concentration effective for the amount of time spent outdoors. Products with concentrations around 10% are effective for periods of approximately two hours. A concentration of 24% has been shown to provide an average of five hours of protection. DEET should not be applied more than once a day. Products containing DEET are not recommended for use on children under 2 months of age. Carefully read and follow directions on the container and wash treated skin when tick exposure has ended.

• Wear protective clothing such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and socks when outdoors in areas and at times where and when mosquitoes are active and feeding.
• Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.

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.  Mosquitoes will breed in any untreated

water, so it’s important to do the following around your home.

• Rid your property of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers.
• Remove discarded tires.
• Drill holes in the bottoms of all recycling containers that are left outdoors.
• Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
• Change the water in birdbaths at least twice weekly.
• Sweep your driveway after it rains so that it is free of puddles.
• Keep storm drains and gutters clear of leaves and debris.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor spas and hot tubs and drain water that collects on their covers.

            Under County Executive Andy Spano's mosquito control program, Operation Mosquito S.T.I.N.G. (Stop The Insect's Next Generation), the County has applied larvicide to 57,000 catch basins countywide to kill immature mosquitoes. Residents who notice large areas of standing water that could serve as potential mosquito breeding grounds should report this information to the Health Department through its Public Health Information Line at (914) 813-5609 or online through its internet site, www.westchestergov.com/health.      

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