West Nile Creeps Closer to RVC

With more than 50 sites confirmed by the New York State Department of Health to have West Nile carrying mosquitoes — including Lakeview, Garden City, West Hempstead and Valley Stream — Rockville Centre residents should take the necessary precautions to protect themselves.

Though the Nassau County Health Department estimates that only 20 percent of people infected by West Nile mosquitoes will get West Nile fever, which symptoms include headaches, body aches, skin rashes and swollen lymph glands, residents over 50 are more likely to develop systems if infected.  

So how can residents protect themselves? 

The county department of health recommends disposing of all outdoor tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or water holding containers. Residents should throw away old tires, drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept outside, and make sure roof gutters are cleaned and drained.

In addition, the health department suggests turning over wading pools and wheelbarrows when they're not in use, changing the water in birdbaths twice a week, removing standing water that collects on your property, and cleaning and chlorinating your pools.

The county will be conducting "preventive spraying" with a pesticide called Scourge in Massapequa, Valley Stream, West Hempstead and Merrick through Aug. 9. The health department said the likelihood of someone experiencing adverse affects from it depends on how long they are exposed to it. They do suggest limiting outdoor activity during the spraying and avoiding surfaces — like tables and chairs — for about 30 minutes afterward.

The latest samples of West Nile were collected on July 20 in West Hempstead, Valley Stream and Lakeview. To date, one human has tested positive for West Nile virus in Nassau County this year. She was 66.

For more information on Scourge and the affects of it, call the New York State Department of Health's toll-free Environmental Health information line at 1-800-458-1158, extension 27530.

For mosquito, stagnant water, or drainage problems, call the Nassau County Department of Public Works at (516) 572-1166, weekdays from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.