West Nile Virus Prevention
Released: May 29, 2007
The Cattaraugus County Health Department (CCHD) will continue to report sightings of dead birds to the NYS Department of Health. Dead bird specimens will NO LONGER be picked up or submitted for analysis, however, calls will still be accepted to report sightings of dead birds. If you need to personally dispose of a dead bird, treat it like any other dead animal; do not touch it with bare hands. It may be buried or placed in household garbage for disposal.
The CCHD issues the following advice on ways to reduce your risk of being infected with West Nile Virus:
- Minimize outdoor activities during dawn and dusk hours when mosquitoes are most active
- Wear shoes and socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time
- Reduce the possible breeding pools in your yard by eliminating any stagnant water, i.e. birdbaths, pool covers, roof gutters
- Consider the use of mosquito repellant according to manufacturer's directions
Mosquito control in and around your house
- Because mosquitoes need stagnant standing water to lay eggs, check your property and remove any water holding containers, especially old tires, cans, buckets, drums, wheelbarrows, etc.
- Drain water in birdbaths, plant pots and drip trays twice/week
- Remove standing water from your basement
- Keep drains, culverts, ponds and streams on your property clean of weeds and trash
- Clean roof gutters and remove standing water from flat roofs
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tub covers; should disinfect cover with bleach to kill larvae and eggs
- Drill holes in bottoms of recycling bins and other containers kept outdoors
The CCHD reminds residents that it will also accept calls to report abandoned swimming pools or other property nuisances, such as old tires, that may be a breeding haven for mosquitoes.
Reminder for those choosing to use mosquito "dunks": in accordance with NYS regulations, dunks may only be applied on personal property in artificial containers, such as swimming pools. Users of dunks must strictly follow all manufacturer label instructions. Dunks may be purchased locally at Wal-Mart, McNamara's, Agway, Worth W. Smith, and McCormack's Hardware (Gowanda).
Questions and/or complaints may be called in to the CCHD at 373-8050 or 800-251-2584. Please ask for the Environmental Division at extension 3386.