FIRST WEST NILE VIRUS OF THE SEASON FOUND IN STATEN ISLAND MOSQUITOES

NEW YORK CITY – June 20, 2008 – The Health Department has detected West Nile virus in New York City mosquitoes for the first time this season. The virus, isolated in Port Richmond, Staten Island on June 18, has arrived earlier than usual. No human cases have been detected. Next week, the Health Department will start dispersing aerial larvicide in non-residential areas of Staten Island, Bronx and Queens to reduce mosquito populations (details below). Surveillance and control efforts will continue through the summer.

Some people experience only mild flu-like symptoms after contracting West Nile virus, but the infection can cause also encephalitis, a potentially fatal inflammation of the brain or spinal cord. "People over 50 are the most vulnerable," said Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, New York City Health Commissioner. "Fortunately, anyone can avoid infection. The best way to reduce your risk is to wear repellent if you go outdoors in the evening, when mosquitoes are most active."

The Health Department has stopped investigating reports of dead birds – testing mosquitoes for West Nile virus has proven to be a more effective monitoring strategy. As in past years, the agency is urging residents to take simple steps to protect themselves.

If you think you have symptoms of West Nile virus, see your doctor right away. The most common are headache, fever and extreme fatigue. For more information about West Nile virus, and how to avoid it, visit the Health Department website at www.nyc.gov/health or call 311.

UPDATE: Due to weather conditions, the aerial larviciding event for June 23, 2008 has been cancelled.

Health Department Will Treat Natural Areas in Staten Island, Queens and the Bronx with Mosquito Larvicide from June 24 through June 25, 2008

To control the number of mosquitoes, the Health Department will apply larvicide by helicopter to marshes and other non-residential areas of Staten Island, Queens and the Bronx. Weather permitting, larvicide will be applied from Monday, June 24, through Wednesday, June 25, from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Larvicide is a natural product, not an insecticide.

In case of bad weather, alternative application dates will be Tuesday, June 24, to Thursday, June 26, from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Location of Aerial Larvicide Applications

Borough	Neighborhood	Marsh/Wetland Areas To Be Treated	Boundaries	Zip Code
Staten Island	Arlington	Chelsea East	Marsh areas bound by Richmond Terrace to the north; Holland Avenue to the east; Western Avenue to the west; and the former North Shore Railroad to the south	10314
	Chelsea	Chelsea/Con Ed West	North of Victory Boulevard; south of South Avenue; West of Travis to Arthur Kill Bay	10314
	Old Place	Goethals North	Marsh areas bound by the former North Shore Railroad to the north; South Avenue to the east; the Arthur Kill to the west; and Goethals Road North to the south	10303
	Chelsea/ Bloomfield	Corporate Park	Bounded by Edward Curry Avenue to the north; South Avenue to the east and south; and Chelsea Road and Bloomfield Road to the west	10314
	Bloomfield	Corporate Park North	Marsh areas bound by Goethals Road North to the north; Graham Avenue to the east; Teleport Drive and Edward Curry Avenue to the south; and Gulf Avenue to the west	10314
	Fresh Kills	Fresh Kills Park	Marsh Areas bounded by West Shore Expressway to the West, Richmond Avenue to the east, Arthur Kill Road to the south and Park Drive/Main Creek to the north	10314
	Fresh Kills	La Tourette Park	East of Richmond; North of Arthur Kill; south of Richmond Creek	10314, 10306
	Port Mobile	Port Mobile	North and West of Arthur Kill Road to Arthur Kill Bay	10309
	Chelsea/ Bloomfield	Chelsea/ Bloomfield	South of River Road to Edward Curry Avenue; West of Chelsea Road to Arthur Kill Bay	10314
	Chelsea/ Bloomfield	Saw Mill Marsh North	South of Edward Curry Avenue; North of South Avenue; West of Chelsea Road to Arthur Kill Bay	10314
Queens	Douglaston/Oakland Gardens	Alley Pond Park	Marsh areas inside Alley Pond Park	11361, 11363, 11362, 11364
	Linden Hill/ College Point	Abandoned Flushing Airport	Marsh areas bounded by 20th Avenue to the North; 130th Ave and Ulmer Street to the West; Ulmer street and 28th Street to the South, and Whitestone Expressway to the east	11354, 11356
	Edgemere/ Somerville	Dubos Point and Edgemere Park	Marsh areas bounded by Norton basin to the East, Mott Point to the North, Grass Hassock Channel to the West, and Beach 65th Street, Decosta Avenue and Almeda Avenue to the south	11691, 11692
	Flushing	Flushing River	Marsh areas bounded by Van Wyck Expressway in the North, Willets Point Blvd, Roosevelt Avenue and Pedestrian Ramp to the West, College Point Blvd to the East, and Meridian Road to the south	11368, 11354
Bronx	Pelham Bay Park North	Pelham Bay	Marsh areas bounded by the Hutchinson River to the West & South, New England Thruway to the North and Amtrak railroad to the east	10475, 10464

The Health Department will monitor for West Nile virus and apply pesticides as needed throughout the summer. The City’s 2008 Comprehensive Mosquito Surveillance and Control Plan can be found online at http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/wnv/wnvplan2008.pdf.

Press Releases

Location of Aerial Larvicide Applications