Protect Yourself from West Nile Virus

A case of West Nile Virus has been found in a 73-year-old Yonkers resident who has been hospitalized, the Westchester Health Department announced Wednesday. The first catch basin to test positive for West Nile was found in Rye Brook in early August. Click here for more information on this. 

Read the Health Departments tips to avoid mosquito bites and West Nile here:

  To help eliminate mosquito breeding grounds where you live:

·      Get rid of all water-holding containers, especially old tires, cans, buckets, drums, wheelbarrows and bottles.

·      Cover outdoor trash containers to keep rainwater from accumulating inside.

·      Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are left outdoors.

·      Clean roof gutters and remove standing water from flat roofs.

·      Drain water in birdbaths, plant pots and drip trays twice a week.

·      Sweep driveways after it rains so that they are free of puddles.

·      Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. Keep them empty and covered if not in use; drain water that collects in pool covers.

To reduce your risk of mosquito bites:

·      Avoid being outdoors in places and during times where and when mosquitoes are active and feeding.

·      Use insect repellents with no more than 30% DEET, but use them sparingly and with care.

·      Select the lowest concentration effective for the amount of time spent outdoors.

·      Products with concentrations around 10% are effective for periods of approximately two hours.

·      A concentration of 24% has been shown to provide an average of five hours of protection. DEET should not be applied more than once a day.

·      Products containing DEET are not recommended for use on children under 2 months of age. Carefully read and follow directions on the container and wash treated skin when mosquito exposure has ended.

• Wear protective clothing such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts and socks when outdoors in areas and at times where and when mosquitoes are active.
• Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens.
• Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.

 For more information on the department’s larviciding and West Nile virus prevention activities, call the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000, like us at www.facebook.com/wchealthdept, follow us on Twitter @wchealthdept or visit www.westchestergov.com/health.