Chester County to control West Nile Virus threat
WEST CHESTER, PA - Weather permitting, the Chester County Health Department will apply a mosquito control treatment between 8:30pm-10:30pm on the evening of Thursday, August 12 in Phoenixville Borough.
Areas to be treated will be bordered by Washington Avenue to the north, Nutt Road and Valley Forge Road to the west and south, Second Avenue to the east.
In the event of a weather delay, the application will be conducted on Friday, August 13, 2010.
On August 9, 2010 mosquito samples collected in this area by the Chester County Health Department West Nile Virus program staff tested positive for West Nile Virus.
The treatment will be administered with truck mounted equipment to spray the target area. The equipment dispenses Permanone RTU, a permethrin insecticide product, at a rate of 1.5 ounces per acre.
It is recommended that residents stay indoors and close windows during treatment and for approximately one hour after spraying is complete.
Certain mosquito species carry the West Nile virus, which, when transmitted to people, can cause West Nile encephalitis, an infection that can result in an inflammation of the brain.
All residents in areas where virus activity has been identified are at risk of getting West Nile encephalitis. Margaret Rivello, County Health Director, warns that “Although spraying is conducted to help reduce the mosquito populations, treatments cannot totally eliminate mosquitoes. Residents should take precautions to help reduce contact with mosquitoes and breeding areas.”
The Health Department recommends the following precautions to help eliminate mosquito-breeding areas:
• Dispose of open containers on your property that may collect water, such as tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, etc.
• Keep your property clear of old tires or avoid areas where they may be stored.
• Drill holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers so that water will not collect.
• Clean roof gutters, particularly if leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug drains.
• Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use.
• Turn over wheelbarrows and don’t let water stagnate in birdbaths.
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools when not in use. A swimming pool left untended by a family on vacation for a month can produce enough mosquitoes to result in neighborhood-wide complaints. Mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on pool covers.
• For stagnant pools of water, homeowners can buy Bti products at lawn/garden, outdoor supply, home improvement and other stores. This naturally occurring bacterial product kills mosquito larvae but is safe for people, pets, aquatic life and plants. In addition, take these simple precautions to prevent mosquito bites: • Make sure screens fit tightly over doors and windows to keep mosquitoes out of homes.
• Consider wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks when outdoors, particularly when mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, or in areas known for having large numbers of mosquitoes.
• When possible, reduce outdoor exposure at dawn and dusk during the summer.
• Use insect repellants. An effective repellant will contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Always be sure to follow the manufacturer label directions. Consult with a pediatrician or family physician if you have questions about the use of repellant on children, as repellant is not recommended for children under the age of two months.
For more information on West Nile Virus, visit the Health Department’s website or call 610-344-6455.
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http://dsf.chesco.org/health/lib/health/newsreleases/222010.pdf
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