Broome Confirms Presence Of West Nile Virus In 2002

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 evidence of West Nile virus in a crow for the first time this year in Broome County. "This is to be expected, based on previous history of West Nile virus in Broome County and in fact, New York State", said Broome County Executive Jeffrey Kraham.

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:

• Minimize outdoor activities between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• 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 and laboratory testing of birds 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.

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. This year not all dead birds will or should be collected and sent for testing. Residents can report other types of dead birds by calling The Dead Bird Hotline, toll free, 1.866.537.2473, operated by the United States Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Service.

The Broome County Health Department continues its response to the West Nile virus. Larval surveillance and adult mosquito trapping around Broome County began in May. The information gathered from these activities combined with dead crow sightings will help Broome County determine the appropriate control measures.

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

• Evidence of West Nile Virus has not been found in adult mosquitoes;
• Adult mosquitoes and mosquito larva have been found in low numbers;
• Dead crow count density continues to be well below the level associated with occasional human disease. 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 disease;
• And no human cases have been diagnosed.

Additional chemical control is not warranted under these conditions. "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 Mr. Kraham.

This year residents have two ways to get up-to-date information concerning West Nile virus, 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling the West Nile virus Information Line at 607.778.3911, option 4 or log on to the Broome County Government Website at www.gobroomecounty.com. The Information Line and the Website will be updated regularly and provide answers to the most frequently asked questions about West Nile virus.

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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