Mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus found in City of Newburgh
GOSHEN - As a result of the continuing monitoring of Orange County's mosquito population by the Orange County Department of Health, a mosquito pool carrying the West Nile virus has been found in the City of Newburgh. "The discovery of West Nile in the mosquito population should not be a cause for panic", said Orange County Health Commissioner Jean M. Hudson, M.D., M P H If residents wear appropriate clothing and sprays when outdoors and check their property for any pooling or stagnant water, the risk of mosquitoes on your property may be reduced. Special care should be taken since the ground is saturated, more rain is expected and water might pool on your property. Any poor drainage around the yard can provide an outdoor home for mosquitoes to breed; mosquitoes can then enter houses through broken screens or unscreened windows or doors. Mosquitoes can breed in any stagnant water that lasts more than four days. To reduce the mosquito population around your home and property, Orange County Executive Diana advises you to take the following steps to reduce or eliminate standing water: Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic posts or similar water-holding containers Drill drain holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept outdoors Make sure that your roof gutters dram properly, and clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall. Turn over wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use Change the water in birdbaths twice a week. Remove all discarded tires from your property. Clean vegetation and debris from the edges of ponds, especially now that leaves are beginning to fall. Drain water from pool covers, Also, remove leaves and debris as they collect on covers to reduce breeding areas Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens are fashionable but become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate. Most mosquitoes do not transmit disease, Although it is not necessary to limit any outdoor activities, you can reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, said Mr. Diana. In addition to reducing standing water in your yard, personal protection when outdoors is recommended: Minimize outdoor activities between dusk and dawn, Wear shoes and socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when you are outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are most active, Consider using mosquito repellent when it is necessary to be outdoors. Make sure to follow the directions on the label. Free repellents, have been distributed to all municipal town halls. Residents are also urged to report dead birds Because crows are especially likely to get sick from West Nile virus, it is important to report all dead crows Birds should be in good condition, bug free, double wrapped in a zip-lock bag and refrigerated not frozen. To report dead birds call the Orange County Department of Health at 291-2332. For more information on mosquito prevention or protection call the Orange County Department of Health at 291-2336,