West Nile Virus Continues to Spread in Central New York

Concerns about the spread of West Nile Virus are growing. Onondaga County reports 8 more positive tests within just the last week. 

The Town of Cicero continues to be a huge breeding ground with five more positive tests, there were two in the Town of Salina and one in the Town of DeWitt. Health Commissioner Indu Gupta, encourages residents to always wear protection when outdoors.

Reducing exposure to mosquitoes is the best way to protect yourself from West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne viruses. Personal protection is recommended during outdoor activities by wearing shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outside for a long period of time. Applying a mosquito repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or IR3535 is also recommended to prevent mosquito bites. Do not put the repellent directly onto children; put it on your hands and apply it to your child.  Do not put insect repellent on your face. Wash skin and clothing after returning indoors.

It is also important to reduce mosquito breeding grounds, reducing the mosquito population:

*Throw away outdoor containers, ceramic pots or containers that hold water
*Remove all tires from your property
*Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept outdoors
*Clean clogged rain gutters and make sure they continue to work properly
*Turn over wheelbarrows and wading pools when not in use
*Change water in bird baths at least every four days
*Clear vegetation and debris from the edges of ponds
*Clean chlorinated swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs
*Drain water from pool covers
*Use landscaping to eliminate low spots where standing water accumulates

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