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 New Rochelle, NY - The Westchester County Department of Health has learned of the death of a resident from Westchester County who has tested positive for West Nile virus, marking the first identified human case in Westchester this year.
The diagnosis was made by the Medical Examiner, who determined that the resident died of complications related to West Nile Virus.
“The Health Department has conducted a local environmental assessment of the area around the individual’s home and has found no signs of mosquito breeding activity in the immediate vicinity,” said Dr. Joshua Lipsman, Westchester County Commissioner of Health. “In fact, mosquito activity overall has been quite low in Westchester County this season. Out of the 477 mosquito batches that have been tested in Westchester this year, only 11 have come back positive for West Nile virus,” he said.
Even though mosquito control efforts have been successful in quelling the mosquito population thus far, the Health Department reminds residents to protect themselves and eliminate standing water. This is particularly important now because late summer and early fall have historically been peak mosquito season in Westchester County. The Health Department recommends residents take the following measures to protect against mosquito bites:
- Avoid outdoor activities in places and during times where and when mosquitoes are active and feeding.
- Use insect repellants with no more than 30% DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) when outdoors in such areas at those times. Use 10% or less DEET for children. Do not use DEET on infants. Insect repellants should be used especially at dusk and evening hours when mosquitoes are most likely to bite. Be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's directions for use.
- 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.
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. With all of the heavy rainfall expected this weekend, residents should:
- 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 from their covers.
Under Westchester County's mosquito control program, Operation Mosquito S.T.I.N.G. (Stop The Insect's Next Generation), the County has applied larvicide to 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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