WNVHomePageApril2000

Public Notice - County-wide application of larvicide to prevent West Nile Virus infection in humans, by preventing adult mosquito emergence will be applied to municipal storm water catch basins by the Westchester County Health Department, Westchester County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Westchester County Department of Public Works; beginning May 1, 2008.
More information

West Nile Virus is a disease carried by mosquitoes. It can cause serious illness in humans and may even be fatal.

To protect our community we are asking residents to help reduce the mosquito population. Here are some things you can do:

Remove from around your home and neighborhood anything that might hold standing water. For example: old tires, buckets and wheelbarrows.

Report any standing water that you cannot remove.

Report any dead birds that you find to the USDA at 1-866-537-2473. Dead birds may be infected with the virus.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites.

The Westchester County Department of Health is not collecting dead birds 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 (USDA), toll free at 1-866-537-2473 to report the sighting. By mapping dead birds, the USDA researchers hope to gain additional knowledge about the relationship between dead birds in an area and the likelihood of human cases in that area.

By following the links on the left you will find more detailed information on all these topics.

Insect Repellent Safety

Insect repellant

Insect Repellent Use and Safety (CDC)

Comparison protection times for Insect Repellents

How to Use Insect Repellents Safely (EPA)

Permethrin: Another weapon in the fight against West Nile? (Mayo Clinic)

What you need to know about Insect Repellent (CDC)

Maps of West Nile Virus Activity

Map of West Nile Virus activity 2006

2007 WNV Activity (CDC)

2006 WNV Activity (CDC)

2005 WNV Activity (CDC)

2004 WNV Activity (CDC)

Protecting your Animals from West Nile Virus

West Nile virus and caring for your animal

Caring for animals and West Nile Virus

(American Veterinary Medical Association)

West Nile Virus and Dogs and Cats (CDC)

El Virus del Nilo Occidental en perros y gatos (CDC)

West Nile Virus and Horses (CDC)

Mosquitoes Life Cycle

Mosquitoes Life Cycle
(Click image for a larger picture)

The mosquito goes through four distinct stages during its life cycle:

egg   - hatches when exposed to water;
larva - (plural. - larvae) "wriggler" lives in the water; molts
            several times; most species surface to breathe air;
pupa - (plural - pupae) "tumbler" does not feed; stage
             just prior to emerging as adult;
adult - flies short time after emerging and after its body
            parts have hardened

The first three stages occur in water, but the adult is an active flying insect that feeds upon the blood of humans and/or animals. The female mosquito lays the eggs directly on water or on moist substrates that may be flooded with water. The egg later hatches into the larva, the elongated aquatic stage most commonly observed as it swims in the water. The larva transforms into the pupa where internal changes occur and the adult mosquito takes form. After two days to a week in the pupal stage, the adult mosquito emerges onto the water's surface and flies away. Only the female mosquito takes blood which they usually require for her eggs to develop.

West Nile Virus (for children)

Learn how West Nile Virus was discovered, check out Operation: Infection Detection (CDC)

West Nile Virus: Questions and Answers (CDC)

Test your West Nile Virus Smarts (CDC)