(Town of Sullivan – Aug. 28, 2013) The Madison County Health Department announced the county’s first positive Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) pool of mosquitoes collected Aug 22 at Moore Road (Town of Sullivan). The test results from the State Department of Health’s Wadsworth Center Laboratories were reported to the Madison County Health Department late Monday afternoon.
Two pool’s of mosquitoes collected from the same Black Creek area previously tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). The second WNV positive mosquito pool was collected on Aug. 12 and the results reported to the Health Department late Friday Aug. 23.
A mosquito pool is a collection of mosquitoes of similar species taken from a site for testing. The mosquitos, which were identified as carrying the WNV and EEE viruses are primarily bird-biting species.
“Residents should take steps at home to lower the chance of being bitten by mosquitos,” said Madison County Public Health Director Eric Faisst. “Avoiding mosquito bites is the best thing you can do. When outside, wear insect repellent according to package directions, stay away from areas with large numbers of mosquitoes and limit outside activity between dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. It is imperative for people over 50 years of age and younger than 15 years of age to avoid mosquito bites.”
Enhanced surveillance activities by the Madison County Health Department are underway, engaging the county’s Disease Surveillance Committee and reaching out to at-risk residents as well as equine owners and horse stables in the county. Any further actions beyond personal protection will be taken only if deemed necessary and after consultation with the New York State Department of Health. At this time, aerial spraying is not being proposed but if such action is deemed necessary, public notification will be issued through the news media.
The Madison County Health Department recommends these steps:
- Apply insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and follow label instructions.
- Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes and repair or replace screens with tears or holes.
- Eliminate standing water and containers that can hold water from around the home.
- Turn over wheelbarrows and wading pools when not in use.
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs and drain pool covers. Report neglected swimming pools to your local codes enforcement officer.
- Change the water in birdbaths and horse troughs regularly, at least twice a week.
- Wear long sleeve shirts, long pants, socks and footwear if you must be outside.
- Use mosquito netting over infant carriers, cribs, and strollers.
WNV and EEE exhibit very different symptoms. In rare cases, humans may be infected with EEE virus or WNV virus. Both may cause severe inflammation and swelling of the brain, even death. Symptoms from encephalitis infections include sudden high fever, muscle pains, and a headache of increasing severity. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention.
For more information on WNV or EEE, call the Madison County Health Department at 315-366-2361 or visit www.healthymadisoncounty.org