West Nile Virus Found in Palermo

OSWEGO COUNTY – The Oswego County Health Department reported today that one mosquito sample has tested positive for the West Nile Virus (WNV) in the town of Palermo.

Also today, the New York State Department of Health issued a health advisory to all public health practitioners and health care providers about the risk of severe and/or delayed symptoms of arboviral disease, which includes illnesses caused by viruses spread primarily through the bites of infected mosquitoes and ticks. The advisory highlights a particular concern for people taking certain medications that suppress the immune system.

This follows the release of an advisory by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) earlier this month which noted a “growing number of reports of severe arboviral neuroinvasive disease in patients” taking certain immunosuppressants, especially B-cell-depleting therapies like rituximab, organ transplant rejection medications or cancer therapies. The case studies further reported that WNV was “the most common infecting arbovirus.”

“As we know, those who live with compromised immune systems are at greater risk of contracting illnesses or experiencing more severe symptoms of any disease, including arboviruses,” said Dr. Christina Liepke, Oswego County Health Department Medical Director. “At this time, there are no known treatments for West Nile virus or other arboviral diseases; we can only manage the patient’s symptoms. Therefore, a timely diagnosis of an infection is vital.

“We strongly encourage those who are immunocompromised to take extra precautions to avoid bug bites,” she added. “Also, talk to your health care provider about any concerns you have or potential symptoms you may be experiencing.”

WNV is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Those affected may develop a fever, nausea, headache and body aches. In some cases, the virus can cause severe symptoms such as a high fever, muscle pain, neck stiffness, muscle weakness and disorientation. Those experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention.

Oswego County Legislator Paul House, District 8, chairman of the Oswego County Legislature’s Health Committee offered his support. “While we enjoy living in this beautiful, largely rural county, it also means that we live with mosquitoes and ticks in our environment,” he said. “Today’s report and health advisory confirm their presence and remind us to remain vigilant. I encourage everyone, but especially our friends and neighbors who are immunocompromised, to take extra care to guard against mosquito and tick bites.”

Oswego County Public Health Director Vera Dunsmoor agreed, adding, “We continue to work closely with the state Department of Health, not only to monitor mosquito activity around the county, but to also make sure we provide the public with vital information and guidance to ensure their safety. Mosquitoes and ticks will remain active in our environment well into fall – specifically, until the first heavy frost – so we have many more weeks to be on the lookout and take precautions.”

Residents and visitors alike are advised to protect themselves from mosquito bites by wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts, shoes and socks when outdoors. They should also avoid being outside between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

People are also reminded to use an EPA-registered insect repellant to guard against mosquito bites. Those that contain DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus are the most effective while those that contain permethrin are meant for clothing and gear and should not be applied directly to the skin. Be sure to read all product labels and follow package instructions.

Homeowners should repair or replace any broken screens around the home and keep rain barrels covered with screens to keep mosquitoes out.

Reduce mosquito habitat around the home by emptying or disposing of any water-holding containers, changing the water in birdbaths and horse troughs twice a week, cleaning out clogged gutters and removing vegetation and leaf debris from yards, gardens and the edge of ponds.

Remember to dispose of old tires as they are a significant mosquito breeding site and use mosquito dunk kits in certain situations to reduce mosquito populations. Call the Oswego County Solid Waste Department at 315-591-9200 to learn how to dispose of used tires for a fee; and call the Oswego County Soil and Water Conservation District at 315-592-9663 to purchase a mosquito dunk kit for $5.

For more information about protecting your family against mosquitoes, call the Oswego County Health Department at 315-349-3557 or visit the New York State Department of Health website at https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2731/.