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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - Westchestery County reported its first human case of the West Nile Virus this year on Thursday.
The 80-year-old Yonkers resident that tested positive for the virus has since been discharged from the hospital, according to a press release.
In response to the diagnosis, the Westchester County Department of Health will study the Yonkers home for signs of nearby mosquito breeding. The county annually applies larvicide briquettes, which harm mosquitoes, to street basins throughout Westchester. However, some White Plains residents previously said that the county should do more to prevent mosquito mating in marshes and other bug-infested areas.
The Health Department advises residents to be aware that mild or moderate flue-like symptoms may indicate a West Nile Virus infection, which can be fatal for people 50 or older.
Westchester suggests residents do the following to prevent West Nile infections:
- Get rid of containers, such as cans, buckets, drums, and wheelbarrows, around your home that may accumulate water and attract mosquitoes.
- Cover outdoor trash cans to prevent rain from pooling inside the bins.
- Drill holes in the bottoms of any recycling containers that you leave outside.
- Remove standing water that has gathered on your roof and clean roof gutters.
- Drain the water in birdbaths and plant pots twice a week.
- Sweep your driveway after it rains to remove any puddles.
- Clean, chlorinate, and maintain any swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs.
- Wear insect repellent and long-sleeved shirts, socks, and pants when outdoors in areas where mosquitoes are active.
Are you nervous about West Nile? Do you think the government should be doing more? Email thoughts to strangle@mainstreetconnect.us and we'll include your responses in future coverage.
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