Combatting West Nile Virus
You may remember last year when we faced the West Nile virus situation, which came upon us very suddenly and unexpectedly. We had to make decisions about how to reduce the mosquito population in the city. The substances that we used were Sumethrin, Resmethrin and Malathion, and questions were raised as to the safety of Malathion. At the time we made the decision to use Malathion, it was described to us as not being dangerous as long as it's used in the prescribed way. Malathion, Resmethrin, and Sumethrin have been used for a long period of time, including in some of the suburban counties surrounding New York City. Still, we wouldn't have used it if we had been told that it was unsafe. But it was cleared by the federal, state, and local governments. Now the EPA has said there is no evidence to prove a link between Malathion and cancer in humans. Nonetheless, if we have to resort to spraying again this year - and we don't know yet that we will - the City has contracted to use Resmethrin, Sumethrin, and Permethrin, so that the issue of Malathion would not be raised. Over the past several months, the City's Health Department has been working closely with other City, State, and Federal agencies to develop and implement a citywide plan to help prevent the return of West Nile virus. This tireless effort has resulted in a comprehensive plan that will go a long way toward protecting our city from West Nile or any other mosquito-borne virus, should any surface this summer. Since April, the City started treating storm drains and other areas of standing water with Federal and State-approved larvicides to help control mosquito breeding. Follow-up applications will be administered, as needed, through the end of October. In addition, the Department of Environmental Protection is working with the Health Department to locate catch basins and other potential breeding sites for mosquitoes and has expanded the use of larvae-eating fish at its waste treatment plants. On April 18th, the New York City Board of Health adopted a resolution declaring water accumulations in which mosquitoes may breed a public nuisance, and requiring owners and others in control of property to take appropriate action. Mosquito larvae can grow in as little as a cup of water, so I'm asking all New Yorkers to clear out areas of standing water -- unclogging roof gutters; emptying unused swimming pools; changing the water in bird baths at least once a week; and discarding old tires, buckets and other containers that hold water will go a long way in protecting the city's health. The Department of Sanitation is participating in a number of measures designed to eradicate the breeding grounds of mosquitoes, including cleaning up debris in lots and launching a "Tire Disposal Program." New Yorkers can bring up to four passenger tires to one of the 59 Sanitation garages located in the five boroughs. For more information on this program, call the Department's Action Center at (212) 219-8090. In May, the Department of Health launched its West Nile virus public education poster campaign. With the message "Mosquito-Proof New York City - The Bite Stops Here," the posters will be displayed until the Fall across the city, educating New Yorkers on how to prevent or limit the impact of West Nile. The Department is also airing TV and radio public service announcements. The Health Department has established an automated West Nile Information Line (877) WNV-4NYC (968-4692), which New Yorkers can call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, information concerning West Nile is available on the Health Department's website at www.nyclink.org/health. I want to thank New Yorkers for their cooperation. Working together, we can play an active role in helping to protect our city from West Nile virus.
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