New York begins fighting West Nile fever mosquitoes

To stop the possible spread of the disease, you need to cope with its source - mosquitoes. To this end, all New York boros will carry out aerial pesticide treatment. This publication writes Patch.

Fighting mosquito carriers of fever

Pesticide spraying is an old proven remedy for mosquitoes that can carry West Nile fever. The New York City Department of Health plans to use aviation pesticides on all boroughs in the city.

Particular attention will be paid to swamps and wetlands. Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. Specialists will spray pesticides from Wednesday, July 8, to Friday, July 10, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.if weather conditions permit. If the weather conditions are not suitable, then the processing can be postponed to the next week, and will continue from Monday, July 13, until Wednesday, July 15.

The spraying will use environmentally friendly and EPA approved pesticides. They will be sprayed only over non-residential areas of the city. “We hope everyone gets out and enjoys the summer season during the ongoing public health emergency, but we want everyone to stay safe from mosquito-borne diseases,” said City Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. “Aviation killing of mosquito larvae is a safe and effective way.”

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Department of Health officials keep a close eye on mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus. At the moment, cases of the disease among New Yorkers have not been recorded. But in order to prevent the possible spread of the disease, you need to cope with its source - mosquitoes.

The fact is that this fever has a distinct seasonality - from June to October, when the conditions for the development of mosquitoes are most favorable. In warm weather, mosquitoes can breed in any stagnant water. In some areas, hot and humid weather conditions can lead to an increase in their populations.

For the aerial processing of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island wetlands and wetlands, the Department of Health will use VectoBac® GS containing natural bacteria. The product has been approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Protection and will be used in mosquito breeding sites throughout the mosquito season.

What to do locals

New Yorkers, in turn, must also take care of their safety. The first thing to do is get rid of stagnant water, and protect yourself from mosquito bites using sprays. Here are the key recommendations:

• For protection, it is recommended to use an approved insect repellant containing DEET (Diethyltoluamide), picaridin, lemon eucalyptus oil (not for children under 3535 years of age), or products containing the active ingredient IRXNUMX.
• Install insect screens on windows if they are missing. Replace those with holes and holes.
• Make sure that there is no standing water in your yard, dispose of containers that may collect water. Make sure that the gutters on the roof are clean and provide a reliable outflow of water.
• Clean and chlorinate pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. Keep them empty or covered when not in use. Drain the water that collects in the lids of the pools.

According to the New York City Health Code, non-compliance with these rules is a violation. You can report standing water by calling 311 or visiting this Web site. For more information on West Nile virus, call 311 or visit City Hall website.

Recall that for the first time West Nile fever was recorded in New York in the summer of 1999. The virus was discovered in Queens. Since then, doctors and sanitary services of the metropolis have been closely monitoring so that the disease does not spread.

About West Nile Fever

West Nile fever is an acute vector-borne infectious (viral) disease transmitted by mosquitoes and with polyadenitis, skin rashes and serous inflammation of the meninges, sometimes meningoencephalitis.

The carriers of the virus are mosquitoes, ixodic and argas ticks, and the reservoir of infection is birds and rodents. West Nile fever has a distinct seasonality - from June to October, when the conditions for the development of mosquitoes are most favorable. Interestingly, young people get sick more often.

According to 2009 American epidemiological data, mortality in West Nile fever with clinically expressed symptoms was 4,5%, with a total of 663 cases per year.

No specific West Nile fever vaccine has been developed.