First Pool of Mosquitoes Tests Positive for West Nile Virus in Rockland County

By Yehudit Garmaise

The first swarm of mosquitoes has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) this year in Rockland County, confirmed the NYS Department of Health.

Because mosquitos lay their eggs in standing pools of water, health officials in Haverstraw created traps in 266 pools to test for any dangerous viruses that mosquitoes can spread to people, said Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert.

"This time of year is when we see a rise in West Nile Virus activity, and this positive mosquito pool confirms that," said Ruppert.

No human cases of West Nile Virus, thankfully, have been reported in Rockland County since last year.

While staying covered up, ensuring that all your windows and doors have screens that are not torn, using bug repellent, and draping mosquito netting over baby carriages, can help to prevent bites from the buzzing bugs. 

The best way to prevent them from coming near your property is to ban any pools of water from collecting near your home.

Most mosquitoes do not cause diseases, but bites from mosquitoes that are infected with WNV can lead to serious illness in a small number of people, especially those 50 and older.

West Nile can cause a mild flu-like illness: including fever, headache, body aches, nausea, a skin rash, and swollen lymph glands, but in the worst cases, WNV can cause neurological diseases.

If you suspect you have WNV symptoms, see your physician immediately.

When checking your property for any items that can collect water and provide a home for mosquitoes to breed, please stay on the lookout for the following hazards:

• Stay on the lookout for any discarded items, unused flowerpots, bottles, and even bottle caps that could collect water. 

• Flip over anything kept outside, such as kids' toys, buckets, wading pools, canoes, and wheelbarrow, which is not currently in use. 

• Remove all discarded tires.

• Drain the water off the cover of pools, spas, and birdbaths.

• Treat standing water of pools with Mosquito Dunks®, which are available free of charge at the Health Department, Building D, 50 Sanatorium Road in Pomona: Monday to Friday by appointment only, while supplies last. Readers can call (845) 364-3173 or write [email protected] to arrange pickups.

• Tightly cover water storage containers, such as buckets, cisterns, and rain barrels, so mosquitoes cannot get inside to lay eggs. For containers without lids, use wire mesh with tiny holes smaller than an adult mosquito.

• Spray an outdoor flying insect repellent where mosquitoes rest: such as in dark, humid areas like under patio furniture or under carports and garages. When using insecticides, always follow label instructions.

• Cover open vents and plumbing pipes of septic tanks, which should have all cracks and gaps repaired. 

• Clear your roof gutters of vegetation and debris so they drain properly.