May 1, 2008

Mosquito Trapping for West Nile Virus Begins in Nassau County

In 2008, the Departments of Health and Public Works will continue their mosquito surveillance and control efforts throughout Nassau County in order to track West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases. 

Some of these efforts include monitoring and treating with larvicides, when appropriate, thousands of street basins, sumps, ponds and hundreds of miles of fresh water streams; checking suspect breeding sites for the presence of larvae; maintaining “ditches” on the County’s south shore which allow fish to reach and consume mosquito eggs, larvae and pupae; trapping adult mosquitoes at 42 sites throughout Nassau County; identifying their species and areas of infestation; separating and sending selected mosquitoes for viral testing; and thoroughly investigating all cases of suspect or confirmed encephalitis, including West Nile virus, to determine the source of the infection.

West Nile virus is now present throughout the country. The primary carrier of WNV in Nassau County is the Culex pipiens, or “house mosquito” which flies approximately 200 feet from its breeding site.  Therefore, residents are urged to take the following precautions:

• Remove or empty standing water from old tires, garbage cans, pails, or any object that can hold water.
• Make sure roof gutters drain properly, and clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall.
• Keep swimming pools chlorinated and their covers free of stagnant water
• Change the water in birdbaths every two or three days.
• Install window and door screens and keep them in good repair.
• Consider wearing long sleeves, pants, socks and mosquito repellent (according to directions) when outdoors where mosquitoes are active, especially in the late afternoon and from dusk to dawn.

For mosquito problems, stagnant water or a drainage problem, please call the Nassau County Department of Public Works at: 572-1166, weekdays from 7:45AM to 3:30 P.M.

For information concerning West Nile virus activity, please phone the Health Department Information Line at

(516) 227-9700.  For additional information, you can also phone the Nassau County Department of Health at: (516) 227-572-1211  weekdays from 7:45A.M. to 3:30 P.M.

To report a dead bird, call the toll-free NY State hotline at: 1-866-537-2473, weekdays from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Or call the Nassau County Department of Health at (516) 572-1211 weekdays from 7:45 to 3:30 P.M.

Residents are asked to report dead bird sightings since dead birds may provide an indication of the presence of West Nile virus activity in an area.  Please be advised that most of the reported birds will NOT be collected for laboratory analysis.