Broome Confirms Positive Mosquito Pool For West Nile Virus

BINGHAMTON, NY - Broome County Executive Jeffrey P. Kraham and Claudia Edwards, Broome County Public Health Director reported that the New York State Health Department Laboratory has confirmed a positive mosquito pool for West Nile virus, for the first time this year in Broome County. "This is to be expected, based on what we are seeing in other counties throughout the state," said Broome County Executive Jeffrey Kraham.

"Finding this positive mosquito pool does not necessarily increase the risk of human infection." Stated Claudia Edwards, Public Health Director. "Broome County Health Department will increase larval and adult mosquito surveillance, especially in those habitats known to harbor target species mosquitoes."

West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne infection that can cause encephalitis, has been found in New York State for the past three years. While the chances of a person getting encephalitis are small, West Nile virus continues to require our attention during mosquito season. Individuals age 50 and older are at highest risk. The Broome County Health Department wants you to have the information you need to reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard and home and the likelihood of being bitten.

Mosquitoes are small flying insects that feed on human and animal blood or plant juices. Only female mosquitoes bite to get a blood meal for their growing eggs. "Mosquitoes are generally considered a nuisance pest, but occasionally can transmit disease," said Claudia Edwards, Public Health Director of the Broome County Health Department. "There are about 70 different species of mosquitoes in New York State, yet only a handful of them can transmit West Nile virus," she said.

Many mosquitoes that can transmit West Nile virus lay their eggs in dirty, stagnant water around the home. "Weeds, tall grass and shrubbery provide an outdoors home for adult mosquitoes, which may also enter houses through unscreened windows or doors, or broken screens," noted Ms. Edwards. Most mosquitoes are active between dusk and dawn when the air is calm, and that is when the females are most likely to bite. Some species will bite during the daytime.

Mosquitoes can develop in any dirty, stagnant water that lasts more than four days. To reduce the mosquito population around your home, property, and place of business, Ms. Edwards advises you take the following steps to reduce or eliminate all dirty, stagnant water:

• Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers.
• Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept outdoors.
• Make sure roof gutters drain properly, and clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall.
• Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
• Change the water in birdbaths twice weekly.
• Remove all discarded tires from your property.
• Clean vegetation and debris from the edges of ponds.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs.
• Drain water from pool covers.
• Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property.

Most mosquitoes do not transmit disease. "Although it is not necessary to limit any outdoor activities, you can help reduce your risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, stated Ms. Edwards. In addition to reducing standing water in your yard, make sure all windows and doors have screens in good repair. To further limit your risk for West Nile virus:

• Wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are more active.
• Consider using mosquito repellent, according to directions, when it is necessary to be outdoors.

The New York State Health Department and the Broome County Health Department are using dead crow sightings, laboratory testing of birds and testing of mosquito species that transmit West Nile Virus, to help track West Nile virus and to make decisions regarding appropriate control measures. This year the Broome County Health Department is asking residents to continue to report sightings of DEAD CROWS, only. Dead crows are a sign of West Nile virus. The American or Common Crow is a large, chunky, completely black bird measuring between 17 and 21 inches from the tip of the bill to the tip of the tail. Crows have a wide, thick black beak. Grackles, blackbirds and starlings are often mistaken for crows but all three are less than half the size of crows.

During this holiday weekend, to speak to a Health Department Staff person about West Nile Virus, call 607.778.2802, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and during normal business hours on Tuesday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Residents who find a dead crow should call the Broome County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health Services, at 607.778.2887, option 1, during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. You will be asked for your name, address and phone number. Health Department staff will also need specific information about the dead crow.

Since the Broome County Health Department began West Nile Virus surveillance in 2000:

• No human cases.
• One positive mosquito pool.
• Low numbers of positive crows.
• Well below dead crow density levels associated with human outbreak.
• Low average number of adult mosquitoes collected per trap night.
• Low numbers of target species larvae in catch basins.
• Dead crow density continues to be well below the level associated with occasional human outbreak. In 2001 Broome County had a total of 82 dead crow reports for the year. Using the NYS Department of Health formula based on findings throughout the state in the past three years, Broome County would have to have 1,100 dead crow reports per week to be associated with occasional human outbreak;

"Continued habitat reduction by county residents around their homes, together with use of personal protective measures, described above, are the most effective ways to "Fight the Bite" in Broome County" said Ms. Edwards.

Broome County residents play an important role in the fight against West Nile virus by reducing breeding habitats around their homes and property and staying informed. Watch for notices of town and village tire collection days this season. Let's all work together to FIGHT THE BITE!

CONTACT:
Diane O'Hora, Supervising Public Health Educator,
Broome County Health Department, 607.778.3921
email: dohora@co.broome.ny.us

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