West Nile Virus Information
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West Nile Virus
BINGHAMTON, NY - The recent rains and flooding in Broome County have caused a number of water sources that can be prime breeding habitats for mosquitoes. This can lead to an increased population of mosquitoes, causing concern about increased risk for West Nile Virus.
“Although there have been no confirmed positive mosquito pools, crows, or human cases of West Nile Virus, we want people to be proactive in eliminating breeding sites where mosquitoes to like to lay their eggs,” said Diane O’Hora, Supervising Public Health Educator for the Broome County Health Department.
Not all mosquitoes carry West Nile Virus but those known to transmit West Nile Virus like to live around and breed in artificial containers (pots, buckets, abandoned swimming pools and tire piles), not natural water bodies such as ponds, swamps, ditches or wetlands. However, when natural bodies of water become contaminated with flood waters containing organic materials, they can become habitats for mosquitoes to lay their eggs.
The Broome County Health Department is urging all residents to make sure they protect themselves from mosquitoes by keeping the windows and door screens on their homes in good repair. Reduce the mosquito population around your home and property, by emptying water-holding containers, emptying or filling in swimming pools that are no longer used, maintaining swimming pools that are in use by filtering and chemically treating the water, draining and cleaning or shocking pools contaminated by flood waters, keeping rain gutters free of leaves, and discarding old tires. Report any abandoned swimming pools or tire piles to the Health Department at 607.778.2887 during regular business hours.
Starting July 24, the Broome County Health Department will begin larviciding in catch basins throughout Broome County.
Most mosquitoes do NOT transmit disease. “Although it is not necessary to limit daytime outdoor activities, you can reduce your risk of being bitten by mosquitoes,” stated O’Hora. In addition to reducing mosquito-breeding habitats around your home, you should:
- Minimize outdoor activities between dusk and dawn.
- Wear shoes and socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when you are outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are most active.
- Consider using mosquito repellent containing DEET when it is necessary to be outdoors. Make sure to follow the directions on the label.
Dead Crow sightings provide the earliest indication of WNV in an area. This year Dr. Clark, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, at Binghamton University will be conducting research on ill Crow behavior and will be collecting ill and dead Crow, or Blue Jay, reports from residents. Broome County residents can report ill or dead crows by contacting Dr. Clark at Binghamton University by telephone at 607.777.6228 or e-mail at crowrsch@binghamton.edu. As in past years, not all birds will be collected and tested. Bird specimens collected and calls reporting dead birds will be recorded for research purposes only. Residents can report other types of dead birds to the United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Service Hotline toll free, at 1.866.537.2473.
After reporting a dead crow to Professor Clark at Binghamton University, residents should wear gloves to bag the dead crow and place it in the garbage for regular pick-up.
For more information on West Nile Virus, visit the Broome County Health Department’s web site at www.gobroomecounty.com/hd/.
CONTACT:
Diane O'Hora, Supervising Public Health Educator
Broome County Health Department: 607.778.3921
email: dohora@co.broome.ny.us
