Mineola, NY - Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Commissioner of Health
Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein today announced Nassau County’s Mosquito Trapping and Surveillance Plan for the 2017 Mosquito Season. The Department of Health (DOH) has begun trapping and collecting mosquitoes at 42 sites to prevent the spread of mosquito borne diseases. The Department of Public Works (DPW) is treating thousands of street basins, sumps, ponds and hundreds of miles of fresh water streams for mosquitoes as well as aerial applications of larvicide in south shore salt marshes.
“Nassau County has an award winning comprehensive mosquito surveillance and control plan to protect our residents from diseases,” said County Executive Mangano. I once again ask homeowners to eliminate any potential mosquito breeding sites around their property, and to report any concerns of standing water to the Nassau County Department of Public Works.”
DOH conducts mosquito surveillance which includes the trapping and collection of adult mosquitoes at 42 sites throughout Nassau County. Additional surveillance activities include: identifying species; determining population distribution and abundance; separating and sending selected mosquitoes for viral testing; and thoroughly investigating all cases of suspect or confirmed encephalitis, including West Nile and Zika viruses to determine the source of infection.
“Nassau County continues to advise residents to heed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) travel alert, advising pregnant women to avoid travel to countries where there is known transmission of Zika virus,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein. “The CDC recommends that males who have traveled to or liveed in areas with active Zika virus transmission and are sexual partners of pregnant women, abstain from sex or consistently and correctly use latex condoms for the duration of the pregnancy,” stated Dr. Eisenstein.
In addition, the CDC advises pregnant women who have traveled or resided in regions with on-going transmission of Zika virus to contact their healthcare provider for testing. The CDC maintains a map of countries that have past or present Zika virus transmission at www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/index.html. The symptoms of Zika virus are generally mild but may include, fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis. Symptoms typically begin 2 to 7 days after a bite from an infected mosquito. There is no vaccine or specific medicine to treat Zika virus infections. Zika virus is primarily transmitted by certain species of infected Aedes mosquitoes. Aedes aegypti, the more efficient transmitter for humans, is not found in New York State. However, Aedes Albopictus, also known as the Asian tiger mosquito, is a possible transmitter of Zika virus, and is present in Nassau County during mosquito season.
Mosquitos can easily and rapidly increase its population. It is important that residents take measures to eliminate breeding grounds and stop the cycle before it begins. Here are some steps residents can take to eliminate mosquitoes:
Eliminate standing water from containers.
Change the water and clean bird baths.
Empty water from folds of tarps.
Clear water from drainage ditches and roof gutters.
Filter ornamental ponds or stock ponds with fish.
Drain or fill-in puddles from yards.
Maintain lawns and landscapes.
Repair window and door screens.
Cover skin when outdoors for long periods of time.
Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents.
For additional information on Zika Virus visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/zika.
For complaints concerning mosquitoes or standing water, contact the Nassau County Department of Public Works at (516) 571-6900. For questions regarding mosquito surveillance, contact the Nassau County Department of Health at (516) 572-1211.