West Nile Virus
West Nile Virus Watch
2013 Larviciding Efforts Begin May 10th
To eliminate breeding sites for mosquitoes that can carry West Nile Virus, the Westchester County Department of Health has started West Nile Virus prevention efforts by checking catch basins throughout the county for standing water and applying larvicide as needed.
Health department larviciding teams will begin in the northern part of the county and work their way south, evaluating and treating as needed all catch basins on county and municipal roads throughout the county over the next few months.
To help prevent mosquitoes from breeding, residents should eliminate standing water from around their properties, especially after it rains.
What is West Nile Virus?
West Nile Virus is a disease carried by mosquitoes. It can cause serious illness in humans and may even be fatal. People only get West Nile Virus when they’re bitten by a mosquito that has bitten an infected bird. To protect our community we are asking residents to help reduce the mosquito population.
Here are some things you can do:
- Remove from around your home and neighborhood anything that might hold standing water. For example: old tires, buckets and wheelbarrows.
- Report any standing water that you cannot remove by calling (914) 813-5000.
- Protect yourself from mosquito bites.
Dead birds
The United States Department of Agriculture and the Westchester County Health Department are no longer taking reports of dead birds or submitting birds for West Nile virus testing. Surveillance and control efforts regarding West Nile virus will be focused in the areas of adult mosquito surveillance, larval mosquito control and public education.
If you find a dead bird please dispose of it properly. To dispose of a dead bird use gloves and a double layer of plastic trash bags to pick up the bird. Using your gloved hands and a doubled trash bag, enclose the dead bird in the bags. Close and tie the bags and dispose in the trash or as directed by your municipality. Wash your hands with soap and warm water. West Nile virus is not transmissible via touching a dead bird. A person must be bitten by an infected mosquito for transmission to occur. If you have any questions please contact the Westchester County Health Department at (914) 813-5000.
Fight the Bite! learn more about West Nile Virus (CDC)
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West Nile Virus Data Brief
Control and Surveillance in Westchester County
Insect repellent safety
- Insect repellent use and safety (CDC)
- How to use insect repellents safely (CDC)
- What you need to know about mosquito repellent (CDC)
- Follow safety precautions when using DEET on children (FDA) DEET is not recommended for use on children under 2 months of age.
- Insect repellent use and safety in children (FDA)
Maps and charts of West Nile Virus activity
- 2012 WNV Activity (CDC)
Protecting your animals from West Nile Virus
- Caring for animals and West Nile Virus (American Veterinary Medical Association)
- West Nile Virus and Dogs and Cats (CDC)
- El Virus del Nilo Occidental en perros y gatos (CDC)
- West Nile Virus and Horses (CDC)
Life cycle of the mosquito
The mosquito goes through four distinct stages during its life cycle: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Learn more about the life cycle of the mosquito.
West Nile Virus for children
- Learn how West Nile Virus was discovered, check out Operation: Infection Detection (CDC)
- West Nile Virus: Questions and Answers (CDC)
- Test your West Nile Virus Smarts (CDC)
West Nile Virus Resources