West Monroe, N.Y. — More mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus were found in Oswego County, health officials said Thursday.
Two infected samples were collected in the town of West Monroe, according to the county Health Department.
In early August, Oswego County sprayed 10,000 acres after mosquitoes tested positive for both West Nile and Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE).
“While the days are becoming shorter and the temperatures are beginning to dip, mosquitoes and the threat of mosquito-borne diseases remain in the environment until the first hard frost of the season,” said Oswego County Public Health Director Vera Dunsmoor.
Health officials urged residents to wear protective clothing and limit outdoor activities between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
West Nile can be deadly, though fatal cases are rare. About one in 150 people infected develop serious, sometimes fatal illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One in five people develop milder symptoms such as fever, headache, body ache, skin rash or swollen glands.
Officials recommend homeowners take steps to reduce mosquito breeding grounds:
Clean clogged gutters so they drain properly.
Remove leaf debris, weeds and overgrowth from yards, gardens and pond edges.
Eliminate standing water on your property.
Change the water in birdbaths and horse troughs twice a week.
Empty or dispose of pails, cans, flowerpots and other containers that collect water.
Drill holes in the bottoms of outdoor recycling containers.
Turn over wheelbarrows and wading pools when not in use.
Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, saunas and hot tubs and drain water from pool covers.
Dispose of old tires, a significant mosquito breeding site. Tires can be dropped off at some local transfer stations for a fee. Call the Oswego County Solid Waste Department at 315-591-9200 for details.
Residents can also use mosquito dunk kits, which contain larvicide, to control mosquito populations. Kits cost $5 and are available at the Oswego County Soil and Water Conservation District (315-592-9663).
Homeowners are also advised to repair or replace broken window screens and to cover rain barrels with a screen to keep mosquitoes out.
