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The
following easy reference chart of West Nile essentials is offered for PRESS
readers to clip, post to the refrigerator or keep handy by the phone as
the virus season progresses:
Most
people who are infected with West Nile virus either have no symptoms or
experience mild illness such as a fever, headache and body aches before
fully recovering. Some may also develop a mild rash or swollen lymph
glands. In some individuals, particularly the elderly, West Nile virus can
cause serious disease that affects brain tissue. Symptoms of encephalitis
(inflammation of the brain) include the rapid onset of severe headache,
high fever, stiff neck, confusion, loss of consciousness (coma), or muscle
weakness.
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To
Protect Yourself Against The Virus |
From
now through October, from dusk to dawn or during the day in an area where
there are weeds, tall grass, or bushes, wear protective clothing, such as
long pants, loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts, and socks, and consider
the use of an insect repellent containing DEET.
The
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that repellents used on children
should not contain more than 10 percent DEET. Concentrations of up to 30
percent DEET have been shown to be acceptable for adults.
As
with chemical exposure in general, pregnant women should take care to
avoid exposures to repellents when practical.
Wash
all treated skin and clothing with soap and water after returning indoors.
Depending
on the concentration of DEET in a product, it can be effective for
approximately three to six hours. Avoid prolonged or excessive use of DEET.
Use sparingly to cover exposed skin and clothing. Do not apply it to skin
covered by clothing.
Home
Mosquito-Proofing Checklist
•
Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or
replace all screens that have tears or holes.
•
Remove all discarded tires from your property.
•
Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or similar
water-holding containers.
•
Make sure roof gutters drain properly. Clean clogged gutters in the spring
and fall.
•
Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. If not
in use, keep empty and covered.
•
Drain water from pool covers.
•
Change the water in bird baths every 3 to 4 days.
•
Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
•
Eliminate any standing water that collects on your property.
Remind
or help neighbors to eliminate breeding sites on their properties.
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For
The Latest Spraying
Schedules |
•
Check the City’s website
at www.nyc.gov/health
or http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/wnv/wnv02spray.html.
•
Call the West Nile Virus Information Line at 1-877-WNV-4NYC
(1-877-968-4692).
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If
They Spray Your Neighborhood |
•
Avoid direct exposure to pesticides.
•
Persons with asthma or other respiratory conditions are especially
encouraged to stay inside during spraying.
•
Air conditioners may remain on. Set the air conditioner vent to the closed
position, or choose the recirculate function.
•
Bring children’s toys, outdoor equipment and clothes from outdoor areas
inside during spraying. If outdoor equipment and toys are exposed to
pesticides, wash them with soap and water to reduce the possibility of
exposure.
•
Wash skin and clothing exposed to pesticides with soap and water.
•
If you experience an adverse reaction to pesticides, seek medical care or
call the NYC Poison Control Center at (212) POISONS or (212) 764-7667.
Log
on to www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/wnv/wnvbird.html
for an intern information form.
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To
Report A Pool Of Standing
Water |
Mosquitoes
that carry West Nile Virus breed in pools of standing water. To report
such a pool in your neighborhood, log on to www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/wnv/wnvwater.html
and help the City remove the risk.
For
additional information call the toll free New York City Department of
Health & Mental Hygiene’s West Nile Information Line, 24 hours a
day, seven days a week, at 1-877-WNV-4692 or 1-877-968-4692.
—
information courtesy of the
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
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West
Nile Virus Update
Spraying
Queens
Again,
Fighting
The Deadly Virus
By
Tamara Hartman
Following
Labor Day weekend announcements of a Queens West Nile virus fatality and two
more diagnosed cases in Queens, the City Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene scheduled spraying for Northeast Queens, and the agency’s West
Nile Coordinator spoke to the PRESS on the latest findings.
West
Nile Coordinator Dr. Jim Miller explained that the City is reacting to the
results of its weekly mosquito pool testing to decide on spray schedules,
and not on reported cases. The Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene is
attempting to give 48 hours warning before spraying begins, but has resorted
to 24 hour warnings if they believe the test results warrant faster action.
At
presstime, the total number of human cases of the virus in Queens was up to
three, with one victim already deceased: a 73-year-old Jackson Heights man
who died on Sept. 1; an 85-year-old woman from Richmond Hill hospitalized on
Aug. 25 with fever, stiff neck, seizures, and altered mental status; an
86-year-old woman from Beechhurst who was hospitalized on Aug. 22 with
encephalitis; and an 84-year-old man from Rosedale hospitalized in early
August who remains in critical condition.
Miller
explained that his agency has 92 trap sites throughout the City that are
sampled every week. The decision to spray or not to spray is made based on
the percentage of “human biting” mosquitoes from the sampling that test
positive for the virus. He noted that since these kinds of mosquitoes “are
liable to fly virtually everywhere” and because there is a time and
weather lapse between a victim contracting the disease and the diagnosis,
the City is relying on their samplings rather than case locations.
Scheduled
to be sprayed on Sept. 4 between 8:30 p.m. and 2 a.m. were Flushing
Cemetery, Kissena Park and Golf Course, College Point, Whitestone,
Beechhurst, Linden Hill, and Murray Hill “in the area bounded by Northern
Boulevard and Crocheron Avenue to the south and the Clearview Expressway to
the East.”
Miller
explained that the due to the sampling results and, in part, a computer
difficulty, this spraying only had a 24-hour warning, but he urged local
residents to be cautious, but not worried. He said it is time for City
residents to “realize that this is now part of our summer and early fall
life. Taking precautions needs to become a habit” in the West Nile fight.
Though
Queens Borough Hall had expressed concerns over notification of the
borough’s last mosquito spraying last month, spokesperson Dan Andrews said
that Borough President had been in touch with the Health Department and was
actively reaching out to community boards and youth groups to spread the
word. However, Borough President Helen Marshall was not available for
comment at presstime. |
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