People Urged to Stay Vigilant Against Mosquito Bites

OSWEGO COUNTY – The Oswego County Health Department announced today that Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) was found in three mosquito samples. Two samples were collected from the town of West Monroe, and one sample was found in the village of Central Square. West Nile virus (WNV) was also reported in five samples – three in the town of West Monroe, one in the town of Hastings, and one in the village of Central Square.

The samples were collected last week, before the county conducted aerial spraying of the Big Bay / Toad Harbor Swamp. Oswego County conducted the aerial spraying on Aug. 15.

“While our aerial spraying was highly effective in the area, it is a temporary control measure that targets specific mosquito populations and doesn’t completely eradicate disease,” said Oswego County Public Health Director Vera Dunsmoor. “While the chance of a person becoming infected with EEEV or WNV through a mosquito bite is small, these viruses can be transmitted to people and some animals, causing illness and sometimes death. It’s important for residents in all parts of the county to remain vigilant in protecting themselves against mosquito bites.”

Oswego County Associate Public Health Sanitarian Chris Williams added, “Mosquitoes will continue to be a threat in the environment until we have heavy frost. People are advised to limit outdoor activities around dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active; to wear protective clothing such as long sleeves, pants, socks, and shoes when outdoors; and to consider other methods of personal protection against mosquito bites such as insect repellents.”

Insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus are effective. Repellents which contain permethrin are meant for clothing and gear and should not be applied directly to the skin. Read the product label for repellents and follow package instructions.

Residents are also advised to take the following measures to remove standing water and reduce mosquito breeding sites around the home and property:

• Repair or replace window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.
• Mosquito larvicide “dunk” packs, suitable for treating large containers of water, are available at local municipal offices. They must be used according to label instructions. For details, call the Oswego County Soil and Water Conservation District at 315-592-9663.
• Dispose of old tires. Used tires are a significant mosquito breeding site and are accepted at Oswego County transfer stations. Call the Oswego County Solid Waste Department at 315-591-9200 for details.
• Empty or dispose of pails, cans, flower pots, and similar water-holding containers.
• Clear roof gutters and be sure they drain properly.
• Turn over wheelbarrows and wading pools when not in use.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs, and drain pool covers.
• Change the water in birdbaths and horse troughs twice a week.
• Remove leaf debris from yards and gardens and clean vegetation and debris from the edge of ponds.

The county and state health departments continue to monitor the mosquito population and virus activity in Oswego County.

For more information about protecting your family against mosquitoes, call the Oswego County Health Department at 315-349-3547. You can also visit the County Health Department’s website at https://health.oswegocounty.com/programs/environmental1/mosquitoes.php or the New York State Department of Health’s website at http://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2731/.

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