Officials from the Department of Environmental Protection and the Erie County Department of Health today reminded area residents of simple steps they can take to control mosquitoes in their own yards?an important effort in combating the spread of the West Nile virus.
?DEP and the health department are working to keep the mosquito population under control, but residents also can play a big role in controlling mosquito numbers,? said DEP Regional Director Kelly Burch. ?Look around your property and follow these guidelines: If it has water in it, dump it; if it can be drained, drain it; if there is standing water, treat it. These are easy measures that we all can take in our own back yards to help protect ourselves and our families from West Nile virus.?
?The Erie County Department of Health monitors places in the county where mosquitoes are likely to breed,? Erie County Department of Health Executive Director Andrew Glass said. ?We treat areas where West Nile is detected or large numbers of mosquitoes that typically carry the virus are found. But if residents take a few simple steps at home, we can strengthen our prevention system against the West Nile virus.?
DEP and the health department provided the following tips to eliminate mosquito-breeding sites around the home:
? Identify and eliminate all sources of standing water that collects on your property. Mosquitoes will breed in any puddle that lasts for more than four days.
? Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers on you property. Do not overlook containers that have become overgrown by aquatic vegetation.
? Pay special attention to discarded tires, they can serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
? Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outside.
? Have clogged roof gutters cleaned on an annual basis, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to clog them.
? Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use. A wading pool becomes a place for mosquitoes to breed if it is not used on a regular basis.
? Turn over wheelbarrows and do not allow water to stagnate in birdbaths.
? Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens are fashionable but become major mosquito breeding grounds if they are allowed to stagnate.
? Keep swimming pools clean and chlorinated. A swimming pool that is left untended for a month becomes a source of mosquito breeding. Be aware that mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on swimming pool covers.
DEP has used the experience and knowledge gained over the last seven years of fighting the West Nile virus to develop strategies that efficiently target resources to maximize impact. For the last several weeks, DEP has worked with counties to conduct aggressive mosquito surveillance and, when needed, implement control activities.
DEP and county West Nile coordinators monitor the type, location and population of immature (larvae and pupae) and adult mosquitoes. This information is then used to treat those areas with high populations of mosquitoes that are known West Nile carriers.
Pennsylvania?s aggressive approach has contributed to a drop in the number of human cases of West Nile virus. The virus, when transmitted to people, can cause West Nile fever and encephalitis, an infection that can cause an inflammation of the brain.
Last year, West Nile virus was found in 48 Pennsylvania counties. So far this year, the incidence is lower. In Erie and Crawford counties, the West Nile virus has been found only in mosquitoes.
Most people bitten by an infected mosquito will never develop any symptoms, and only one in 150 who develops symptoms will develop the more serious West Nile encephalitis, a swelling of the brain that can cause serious health problems, including death.
In 2005, 25 residents contracted the disease, with no deaths attributed to the virus. In 2006, two of nine Pennsylvanians who contracted West Nile virus died. So far this year, only one human case of West Nile virus has been documented.
Currently, DEP is targeting the mosquito genus Culex. By reducing the number of Culex mosquitoes early in the season, DEP can reduce the spread of the virus.
Mosquitoes acquire the virus from infected birds. Those mosquitoes then transmit the virus to people and other animals.
Residents are reminded to report dead crows, blue jays and hawks, which can indicate the presence of the West Nile virus in an area. The West Nile control coordinators will collect a limited number of dead birds for testing through Oct. 31.
Residents who discover dead birds and would like to submit them for testing should call the local West Nile county coordinator, and in Erie County that number is 814-451-6752.
When handling dead birds, use rubber gloves. If you do not have gloves, insert your hand into a plastic bag, grasp the bird carefully and invert the bag over the bird. Each bird should be placed in tied plastic bag and then placed inside a second tied bag. If you are not submitting the bird for testing, the bagged bird can be placed in the trash. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.