Additional Eastern Equine Encephalitis
Additional Eastern Equine Encephalitis
FREE Health Screenings for Adults Offered September 24
Additional Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus
Additional Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus and West Nile Virus in Onondaga County
- Throw away outdoor tin cans, plastic 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
Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus and West Nile Virus in Onondaga County
Additional Finding of West Nile Virus in Onondaga County
West Nile Virus in Onondaga County
First Evidence of West Nile Virus in Onondaga County
Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Cynthia B. Morrow announced today that the New York State Health Department laboratory has reported finding evidence of West Nile virus in Onondaga County. The finding was in a mosquito pool collected at the Midler Avenue trap in the City of Syracuse on July 20, 2011 and sent to the New York State laboratory for testing. This is the first finding of West Nile virus in Onondaga County this year. There have been no human cases of West Nile virus reported in Onondaga County this year.
Onondaga County started its adult mosquito surveillance program in June. Morrow explained, “This finding is a reminder that it is essential that the public take measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Please also keep your yard free from standing water because this is a breeding ground for mosquitoes to multiply.”
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:
• Throw away outdoor tin cans, plastic 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. For more information about mosquito borne disease visit www.ongov.net/health; this website is updated weekly.
Practice Bicycle Safety Tips While Riding
- It is a law in Onondaga County that youth between the ages of 1 -18 must wear a helmet while on a bicycle, skateboard, scooter, or in line skates. Wear a properly fitted helmet and wear it every ride. Wear a helmet that meets the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission standards.
- Wear neon and fluorescent colors. Wear special clothing made from reflective materials.
- Install bicycle reflectors on both the front and back of your bicycle. If a carrier is added, make sure the rear reflector is visible. Use bells, horns, or your voice to alert pedestrians and bicyclists that you are approaching or passing.
- Always ride with the traffic and obey traffic lights, signs, speed limits, and lane markings. Act like a driver of a vehicle.
- Yield to pedestrians and other vehicles, as appropriate.
- Check for traffic by looking left-right-left before entering a street. Use hand signals to indicate turning or stopping.
- Control your speed by using your breaks.
- Always ride with the flow of the traffic, on the right side of the road, and as far to the right of the road as practicable and safe.
- Never wear headphones or ear buds as they hinder your ability to hear traffic.
- Be aware of the traffic around you and ride defensively.