Uniondale, NY - Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi set the County's first mosquito trap of the season in Uniondale at sump no. 540 on Thursday, May 8. The trap marked the official beginning of the Nassau County Mosquito Control Program's summer-long battle against the West Nile virus.

(L to R): County Legislator Michael Zapson, County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi, and Greg Terrillion, Mosquito Control Supervisor

The County's Departments of Public Works and Health will work together throughout the summer to trap adult mosquitoes on at least 40 sites around the County to identify species and determine if there are areas of infestation. The traps are set 2 ½ miles apart, emptied on a regular basis by the Nassau County Department of Health Labratory and species are sent to the NYS Department of Health for viral testing. The NCDOH also follows closely all cases of suspected or confirmed encephalitis, including West Nile virus.

"We are not going to sit around and wait for West Nile virus to become an issue. Our County safety workers will continue to be proactive throughout the year, but to avoid countywide spraying and contain this problem all county residents will have to play their parts by staying vigilant and cautious," said County Executive Suozzi.

The key to controlling mosquitoes is to remove the standing water in which they breed. All residents are encouraged to take appropriate precautions by removing standing water from old tires, garbage cans, pails, children's toys and other objects that can hold water. Swimming pools should be chlorinated, gutters unclogged, bird bath water changed every few days, and all sightings of dead birds should be reported to the toll-free state hot-line at 1-866-537-2473.

Other ways to prevent infection are to avoid areas with high mosquito populations, use yellow 'bug' lights in outdoor lighting, install screens on all windows and doors, and use mosquito repellent according to the directions on the label. Bug zappers should not be used because they also kill beneficial insects. Mosquitoes are most active from dusk to dawn and if infected by a WNV-carrying mosquito, symptoms usually occur 5-15 days after the bite. Most people have no symptoms or display slight fever or headache. Severe infections, to which the elderly are most susceptible, result in high fever, headache, confusion, muscle aches, weakness, seizures or paralysis.

Last year there were 11 cases of West Nile in Nassau County. For more information on Nassau County's West Nile precautions, please contact Nassau County Mosquito Control at (516) 571-8707. More information on the West Nile virus can be found on the county website at http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies or by calling the West Nile virus information hotline at 571-2500.