County Department of Health: Mosquitoes Carrying West Nile Virus Discovered

The first confirmed batch this year of mosquitoes carrying the West Nile Virus have been discovered in Westchester, according to the county’s Department of Health.

There have been no reported human cases of the virus so far this year; in 2013 there were two reported human cases.

Below is a release from the Westchester County Department of Health about the discovery:

The Westchester County Department of Health has learned for the first time this year that a mosquito batch has tested positive for West Nile Virus.

The mosquito batch had been collected by County Health Department staff in New Rochelle and sent to the New York State Department of Health for testing. Last year, seven positive mosquito batches were found in Westchester County and two human cases of West Nile Virus were reported. So far this year, there have been no reported human cases.

“This is the time of year when we typically start to identify mosquitoes that carry West Nile Virus in Westchester,” said Sherlita Amler, MD. “While it should not be a major cause for concern, it would be prudent for residents to use repellents when outdoors from dusk to dawn to avoid mosquito bites altogether.”

The Health Department will continue to trap and test mosquitoes and survey catch basins for mosquito larvae or standing water. No standing water was found near the trap that contained the mosquitoes that had West Nile virus, but catch basins on nearby streets will be re-inspected and retreated with larvicide as needed.