West Nile Arrives in Westchester

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. - Folks are being warned to take certain precautions after one resident in New Rochelle and another in Mount Vernon tested positive for the West Nile virus, making them the first confirmed human cases of the mosquito-borne disease in the county this year.

Saying that this is happening “earlier than usual,” County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler reminded the public that it’s very important to remove standing water after each rain.

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Mosquitoes like stagnant water because it's an ideal breeding ground and habitat for them.

Typical trouble spots include old tires, buckets, wheelbarrows, toys, birdbaths, clogged gutters, and plant pots/drip trays.

Large areas of standing water can be reported to the county by calling 914-813-5000.

Amler also urged people to use insect repellents while going outdoors, especially during dusk and dawn, the times when the bloodthirsty little critters are most active. (Bug spray with DEET is said to be the most effective. It’s also wise to wear light-colored long sleeves and pants when outside. Baby carriages and strollers should be covered with protective netting. To keep mosquitoes outside, repair holes in window and door screens and use air conditioning when possible.)

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In July, a 50-year-old Long Island man because the first person in the state to test positive for West Nile. He recovered after spending a week or two in the hospital.

The Rockland County Department of Health, as part of its ongoing surveillance efforts, recently announced that it had detected West Nile in mosquitoes trapped in the Town of Orangetown. As of this writing, no human cases had been reported there this season.

Defensive Posture

Health departments routinely trap and test mosquitoes to track the presence of viruses they carry.

People only get West Nile when they are bitten by skeeters that have fed on infected birds, the most common “reservoir” hosts.

Most cases make their appearances in August and September.

Humans are considered “dead-end” hosts because mosquitoes can’t bite them and then transmit West Nile to another person.

However, the virus can be spread by blood transfusion, organ transplantation, and from mom to baby during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding.

Most people infected with West Nile have no symptoms and about 1 in 5 will develop West Nile fever, according to health experts.
West Nile’s flu-like symptoms include: fever, headache, body aches, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, joint pain, and swollen lymph glands.

Unlike the seasonal flu, it doesn’t present with respiratory problems, such as a cough.

Less than 1 percent of those infected develop serious, sometimes fatal, neurologic illnesses such as encephalitis or meningitis, which can be fatal, especially for older folks or those with underlying medical conditions.

West Nile is the most common mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States, with a median of 2,205 cases reported each year (range: 712–9,862).

Good to Know

For more information, visit www.health.westchestergov.com/west-nile-virus .

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