Onondaga County Health Department has postponed the aerial spraying of the Cicero Swamp and immediate surrounding areas until Thursday, August 29, 2019 due to unfavorable weather conditions. Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Dr. Indu Gupta explained, “I appreciate the public’s patience with our having to postpone aerial spraying. Please be reassured that spraying will take place as soon as possible.”
If weather or wind conditions are unfavorable on Thursday, the spraying will be conducted on the next appropriate day which will be announced to the public through local news, social media, and other communication channels. To learn more about the designated spray areas and recommended preparations to be taken by residents who live in the spray area, please visit www.ongov.net/health/env/mosquito-spraying-faq.html.
Dr. Gupta also was notified by the New York State Department of Health Wadsworth Laboratory today that mosquitoes from two traps located in the Cicero Swamp area in the town of Cicero have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV). Additionally, mosquitoes collected from two traps in the Cicero Swamp area and one trap in the Oot Meadows subdivision in the Town of Salina tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). Dr. Gupta explains that, “even though the mosquito counts have been steadily decreasing in our county, continued findings of EEEV and WNV in mosquitoes serve as a reminder for all residents that these viruses are present and to be consistent in protecting yourself and your family from mosquito bites no matter where you live.”
Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites
Personal protection measures are recommended during outdoor activities, such as wearing shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outside for a long period of time. Use of a mosquito repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone is also recommended to prevent mosquito bites. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for application. 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.
It is also important to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home by removing 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
Any future positive mosquito pool test results will be posted to our website: http://www.ongov.net/health/env/documents/MosquitoData.pdf
For more information about personal protection measures against mosquitoes, please visit www.ongov.net/health/env/mosquitoes.html or contact the Onondaga County Health Department’s Division of Environmental Health at 315. 435.1649.