SWAT WEST
NILE
Take The Bite Out Of West Nile
Stop the spread of West Nile Virus by following these tips
from the city Health Department.
West Nile is a blood-borne disease that mosquitoes contract
after biting infected birds. Humans can only contract it by
a mosquito bite and, in some rare cases, through blood transfusions
or organ transplants.
Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Frieden is reminding New
Yorkers to prevent the spread of West Nile by reporting dead
birds and eliminating standing water from their property.
Frieden also urged residents to start mosquito-proofing homes
to reduce exposure to mosquitoes carrying WNY Replace torn
window and door screens, clean gutters and empty, then turn
over, containers that could carry water allowing mosquitoes
to breed. Further, make sure roof gutters drain properly and
rooftops are free of standing water, clean and chlorinate
swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs and keep them
empty and cover them if not in use. Larger areas of standing
water should be reported to the Health Department, since these
puddles spawn countless mosquito births and may be a violation
of the health code, which is punishable with a fine.
“Eliminating standing water and reporting dead birds
are critical to controlling West Nile virus. We ask New Yorkers
to report dead birds, especially crows and blue Jays, which
are important indicators of WNV in our area,” he said.
The Health Department will begin routine larviciding of
storm drains in early June and will continue to do so throughout
the summer months. If West Nile activity poses a risk to human
health, pesticides will be applied to targeted areas.
West Nile first struck the city in 1999. In turn, the city
launched a major offensive against it with a massive $10 million
effort. There were 62 confirmed cases of WNV and four confirmed
deaths in 1999. In 2000 there was one death, in 2001 there
were no deaths due to WNV. West Nile virus was confirmed in
29 city residents in 2002, according to figures provided by
the city. A senior citizen from Gerritsen Beach and a senior
citizen from Flatlands were among the 2002 victims. Both survived.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
the illness from this mosquito-borne virus “is rare,
even in areas where the virus has been reported. The chance
that any one person is going to become ill from a mosquito
bite is low.” Many people, however, may unknowingly
have West Nile virus, according to the state Department of
Health. Although most individuals with West Nile virus exhibit
few symptoms, an estimated 20 percent of infected individuals
will develop West Nile fever, which is characterized as a
mild disease that includes symptoms of fever, headache and
body aches that are occasionally accompanied by a skin rash
and swollen glands.
West Nile virus can also cause serious illness and, in some
cases, death. Since it was first identified in New York City
in 1999, 12 people have died from the virus, said DOH spokesman
Andrew Tucker. According to the department, all of the deaths
have occurred in individuals over the age of 65.
Further, dead birds are key in detecting areas which may
be affected by the West Nile Virus.
The city is able to geographically pinpoint viral activity
in birds and mosquitoes before humans are infected. Laboratories
are also equipped to test mosquitoes and humans for the virus.
For more information about the city’s 2004 olabn to
combat West Nile virus, visit the below websites or call 311:
To file a report: nyc.gov/healt/wnv
Mosquito Surveillance and Control Plan:http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/pdf/
wnv/wnvplan2004.pdf
For more information about West Nile virus: nyc.gov/healh/wnv
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