West Nile Virus found in Erie County



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ERIE COUNTY, NY (WIVB) – West Nile virus has been identified in "many" mosquito pools in Erie County through routine testing, confirmed Monday the county's Department of Health. 39; Erie.

The department strongly recommends that all residents avoid being bitten by mosquitoes wherever they are.

"I want to remind residents how to minimize their exposure to mosquitoes: limit outdoor activities during periods of high mosquito activity (twilight and dawn), cover as much skin as possible with clothing and use an effective insect repellent containing 25 -30 % of DEET on exposed skin, "said Dr. Gale Burstein, Commissioner of Erie County." These same precautionary measures will also help to protect people from insect-borne diseases, such as Parkinson's disease. Lyme. "

West Nile virus is a disease transmitted by a mosquito that is transmitted by a bite of an infected mosquito.

There are no drugs to treat or vaccines to prevent WNV infection, according to a Health Department press release.

The health service offers the following tips to avoid contact with mosquitoes and ticks:

* Eliminate breeding sites of local mosquitoes – mosquitoes grow in stagnant water

* Do not leave stagnant water for more than two days before disposing of it

* Change the water in bird baths and planter bases every other day

* Clean clogged gutters to allow rain to flow freely

* Reduce exposure to mosquitoes – Avoid mosquito bites by limiting outdoor activities during periods of high mosquito activity at dusk and dawn.

* Use barriers to protect the skin, such as mosquito nets / screens for strollers / parks, long sleeves / pants, socks / shoes and hats

* Discourage mosquitoes from biting. Mosquitoes are attracted to odors on the skin, so avoid wearing perfumed lotions or cologne / perfume.

* Mosquitoes are also attracted to carbon dioxide exhaled by breathing, but we do not recommend you stop breathing.

* Use an effective repellent with a concentration of 25 to 30% of DEET during outdoor activities.

* Spray on the skin then rub

* Do not spray on the face – spray on your hands and rub it on the face

* Reapply repellent after sweating or getting wet

* Products with lower concentrations of DEET need to be reapplied more often

* Do not use on cuts, irritated or infected skin

Reduce ticks in your yard

* Keep lawns mowed and edges trimmed; clear brush, litter of leaves and tall grass around the house, and on the edges of gardens and stone walls

* Stack the stacks of wood carefully away from the house, preferably on the floor

* In the fall, clean your yard of all leaves and yard waste where ticks can live in winter

* Keep the ground under the bird feeders clean so that small animals that can carry ticks in your yard are not attracted

* Avoid direct contact with ticks

* Avoid woody and bushy areas with a large litter of grass and leaves

* Walk in the center of the trails. Stay on cleared trails when walking or hiking; avoid onboard habitat where ticks are likely to be

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