Onondaga County Deputy Health Commissioner, Michelle Mignano, announced today that both Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV) and West Nile virus (WNV) continue to be present in Onondaga County. Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus was found in three mosquito pools. The mosquito pools were located on Island Road, Taft Road, and Route 298, all in the town of Cicero.   West Nile virus was also found in two mosquito pools, one in the town of Cicero and the other in the city of Syracuse.   To date, there are a total of eleven (11) positive EEEV mosquito pools and a total of four positive WNV mosquito pools.

Ms. Mignano explained, “Additional targeted larvaciding efforts are being made to control the mosquito population.  However, the public must remain vigilant in using personal protection measures”.

The Health Department reminds residents that 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 going outside.  Applying a mosquito repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or IR3535 to prevent mosquito bites is very important.  Do not put the repellent directly onto children’s skin.  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 to help 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.
http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/eastern_equine_encephalitis/fact_sheet.htm
http://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2731/