Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Indu Gupta MD, MPH, reported today finding additional evidence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV) in Onondaga County since the last aerial spray.  EEEV was found in two mosquito pools collected on July 24, 2015, one from a mosquito trap located on Taft Road and the other on Route 298, both in the Town of Cicero.  Dr. Gupta reinforced, “Despite the recent aerial sprayings and intensive larviciding efforts, there is still a significant number of mosquitoes in the environment and weather conditions continue to be favorable for mosquito breeding. Therefore, it is extremely important for residents to take measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes whenever outdoors and not to become complacent about personal protection measures”.

The Health Department reminds residents to follow these tips to help avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and also to help reduce mosquito breeding grounds by doing the following:

• Wear protective clothing:  Personal protection measures are recommended during outdoor activities and include wearing shoes, socks, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts as the weather permits.
• Use mosquito repellent:  Consider repellents containing DEET or Picaridin. Mosquito repellents should be applied only to uncovered skin or over clothing.  Do NOT apply DEET or Picaridin directly onto children’s skin (apply to your own hands and then put it on the child). Products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus also provide protection against mosquito bites.  With any mosquito repellent, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on proper use and reapplication.
• Reduce mosquito breeding:  Replace or repair broken screens, clean clogged rain gutters, turn over wheelbarrows and wading pools when not in use, change water in bird baths every four days, properly maintain swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs, drain water from pool covers and use landscaping to eliminate low spots where standing water accumulates.

The Health Department reminds residents that mosquitoes are most active between dusk and dawn.

For information about personal protection measures contact the Onondaga County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health at 435-1649 and visit ongov.net/health/env/mosquitoes.html.