Health Department Reports High West Nile Levels

With high levels of the West Nile virus detected across the city, the Health Department is conducting mosquito control spraying in some neighbor- hoods to stop the spread of the virus.

“Warm standing water is the ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes, so with the three heat waves that we’ve already had this summer, it is vitally important to make sure standing water is reduced to help prevent mosquito breeding,” said Dr. Thomas Farley, New York City Health Commissioner.

According to the city Health Department, unusually high levels of the virus were found in mosquitoes in Staten Island, Queens Brooklyn and the Bronx. At this time no human cases have been detected.

Locally, spraying was conducted this past Tuesday in parts of South Jamaica, Rochdale Village and Springfield Gardens. The area sprayed was bordered by Merrick and Farmers boulevards to the east, Linden Boulevard to the north, 140th Street to the West and North Conduit Avenue to the south.

The commissioner recommends that residents 50 and older take special precaution and encourages everyone to wear repellent at night.

Control efforts will continue for the rest of the summer and residents can find out when their neighbor- hood is being sprayed by registering with Notify NYC at nyc.gov/notifynyc or by calling 311.

Ways to reduce the risk of West Nile in your area:

• Use an approved insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus (not for children under three), or products that contain the active ingredient IR3535.
• Make sure windows have screens, and repair or re- place screens that have tears or holes.
• Eliminate any standing water from your property
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs.

Source: NYC Health Department