County to Start West-Nile Prevention Work in North Westchester Friday

To eliminate mosquito breeding sites and prevent the spread of West Nile Virus, the Westchester County Health Department will apply larvicide to county catch basins.

Health department larviciding teams will start May 1 in the northern part of the county and work their way south, evaluating and treating as needed all catch basins on county and municipal roads throughout the county over the next few months.

To help prevent mosquitoes from breeding, all residents should eliminate standing water from around their properties, especially after it rains. Large areas of standing water on public property that cannot easily be removed should be reported to the Health Department by calling (914) 813-5000.

“With the help of residents, together we can reduce the mosquito population and keep cases of West Nile Virus to a minimum,” said Sherlita Amler, MD, Commissioner of Health. “Please survey your property routinely and empty standing water from any discarded tires, unchlorinated swimming pools, outdoor pottery, pails, birdbaths or other containers throughout the spring and summer.”

For more health information, see www.facebook.com/wchealthdept , follow www.twitter.com/wchealthdept call (914) 813-5000 or go to www.westchestergov.com/health.

Editor’s Note: The larvicide is a solid briquette that is dunked into the catch basins and which dissolves slowly over time. The application method was incorrect in the original version of this report. Patch regrets the error.