West Nile Found In Rye Mosquitoes, Marking Westchester's First Of 2022

RYE, NY — The health department is taking steps to eradicate mosquitoes in areas of Westchester County after the West Nile Virus was found in a sample on the Sound Shore.

The Westchester County Health Department announced late Wednesday that the season's first batch of mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus in the county was identified in Rye. The area surrounding the positive mosquito batch is currently being inspected by the health department and catch basins nearby that require it are being treated to protect against further mosquito breeding.

This was the first positive out of 101 batches of mosquitoes collected in Westchester County that were tested for West Nile Virus by the NYS Department of Health. The sample batch was collected on July 26. In 2021, the first positive batch in Westchester was collected slightly earlier in the summer, on July 13.

West Nile Virus infection usually causes a mild to moderate flu-like illness, but can be more serious for those 60 years of age and older, and for those with health complications.

About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About 1 out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal illness, according to the CDC.

“To protect yourself and your family when you spend time outdoors, use repellents, especially from dawn to dusk, when mosquitoes are most active,” said Westchester County Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD.

The health department prepared for the mosquito season through news releases, flyers, social media and the website, where a report on mosquito control and surveillance can be found on the West Nile Virus page. In order to reduce the mosquito population, the department also distributed 250 pounds of free fathead minnows to residents with ponds. The minnows feed on larvae and pupae before they can emerge into adult mosquitoes.

SEE ALSO: Westchester County Government: Westchester County Health Department To Offer Free Minnows To Residents For Mosquito Prevention

Throughout the season, the health department traps and tests mosquitoes to track the presence of mosquito-borne viruses in the county. In 2021, West Nile Virus was identified in four local mosquito batches out of 153 batches submitted for testing and three people were diagnosed with West Nile Virus.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer recommended that residents follow the Health Department’s West Nile Virus prevention advice to avoid mosquito bites.

“We can keep mosquitoes from breeding and biting us in our own backyards if we pour out standing water after it rains and remove or turn over wheelbarrows, flower pot drip trays and any toy pails or watering cans,” Latimer said.

Westchester County's tips to reduce the chances of mosquitoes breeding around your home:

• Avoid the outdoors in the late afternoon and early evening when mosquitoes are active and feeding; use insect repellents when outdoors during these times and follow the label instructions.
• To protect infants over two months of age, adults can apply insect repellents with up to 30 percent DEET to their own hands and then rub it onto their children. Products containing DEET are not recommended for use on children under two months of age.
• Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and socks when outdoors, especially in areas where mosquitoes are active and feeding.
• Discard or turn over cans, plastic containers and ceramic pots outside your home to avoid accumulating water.
• Remove standing water from outdoor toys and play houses.
• Remove discarded tires.
• Drill holes in the bottoms of all recycling containers that are left outdoors.
• Turn over plastic wading pools, buckets and wheelbarrows when not in use.
• Change the water in birdbaths at least twice weekly.
• Keep storm drains and gutters clear of leaves and debris.
• Chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor spas and hot tubs until properly winterized or drained for the season. Also, if not chlorinated, drain any water that collects on their covers.

Large areas of standing water on public property should be reported to the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000.