Onondaga County Interim Health Commissioner, Michelle Mignano, announced today that the New York State Department of Health’s laboratory has reported finding additional evidence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in a mosquito pool. The mosquito pool was collected on July 22, 2014 at our Taft Road trap site located at East Taft Road (near the Totman Road intersection).  This is the third mosquito pool identified with EEE this season at the Taft Road location.   Aerial spraying of the Cicero Swamp was conducted on July 22, 2014 due to the  high mosquito count and because of positive EEE mosquito pools that have been previously identified.  Ms. Mignano explained “Due to recent rainfall along with predicted warm temperatures, residents should expect that mosquito activity will increase. This new finding further reinforces that EEE is in our environment and that it is prudent that residents practice both personal protection measures and take steps to reduce mosquito breeding grounds on their property.”

Mosquitoes are most active between dusk and dawn.  Personal protection is advised during outdoor activities.  Personal protection measures include wearing shoes, 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:

• Throw away outdoor containers, ceramic pots or 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 or visit /health/mosquitoborne.html