Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – More evidence of West Nile Virus has been found in two mosquito pools tested in Onondaga County.
The county health department collected the pools in the town of Cicero on Island Road and Route 298. Testing was done by the New York State Health Department laboratory.
Another pool taken from Island Road tested positive for West Nile in early September. West Nile has been found throughout Onondaga County this year, as well as Oswego County.
Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Dr. Cynthia Morrow, expects West Nile Virus activity to continue for the rest of the season. “Although we’re nearing the end of the season, people should remain vigilant until there’s a hard frost,” she said in a statement.
The health department provided the following information: Mosquitoes are most active between dusk and dawn. Personal protection is advised during outdoor activities. Personal protection measures include wearing shoes and socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outside for a long period of time. Applying a mosquito repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or IR3535 is also recommended to prevent mosquito bites. Do not put the repellent directly onto children. Put it on your hands and apply it to your child. Do not put insect repellent on your face. Wash skin and clothing after returning indoors. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for application.
The following are ways of helping to reduce mosquito breeding grounds:
• Put away outdoor containers, ceramic pots or other containers that hold water
• Remove all tires from your property
• Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept outdoors
• Clean clogged rain gutters and make sure they continue to work properly
• Turn over wheelbarrows and wading pools when not in use
• Change water in bird baths at least every four days
• Clear vegetation and debris from the edges of ponds
• Clean chlorinated swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs
• Drain water from pool covers
• Use landscaping to eliminate low spots where standing water accumulates
For more information about personal protection measures contact the Onondaga County
Health Department, Division of Environmental Health at 435-1649. For more information about mosquito borne diseases visit
www.ongov.net/health. This website is updated weekly.
