Rye Brook Man Diagnosed with West Nile Virus

A 73-year-old Rye Brook man is recovering in the hospital after being diagnosed with West Nile Virus, the first case in Westchester this year. 

The man's name was not released by the Westchester County Department of Health, which announced his diagnosis in a press release this afternoon.

West Nile Virus is a disease spread by mosquitoes. According to the Centers for Disease Control, it is a seasonal disease that is more pronounced in the summer and continues into the fall. Symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma and tremors, among other ailments.

The virus usually causes a mild or moderate flu-like illness, but can be more serious and potentially fatal in people 50 and older, especially those with other health complications, the county health department said.

The county has detected West Nile Virus in nine mosquito pools since the virus was first discovered; most of these pools have been in southern Westchester.

In New York City and Long Island, there have been a total of 38 human cases of West Nile, with 331 positive mosquito pools detected in all five boroughs of New York City.

The Westchester County Department of Health is urging residents to protect themselves and their homes from mosquitoes, because the possibility of rain could increase the activities of mosquitoes during the holiday weekend.

The department also said it conducted tests near the Rye Brook man's home to ensure the safety of other residents.

 "The Health Department has conducted an environmental assessment near the individual's home and has found no signs of mosquito breeding activity," said Dr. Cheryl Archbald, Acting Commissioner of Health. "However, this is a particularly active mosquito season and it is important for residents to do everything they can to prevent mosquitoes from breeding and to protect themselves from being bitten.''

The department said it has prepared for the summer mosquito season by applying larvicide briquettes to numerous street catch basins throughout the county, which should prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as the West Nile Virus. 

It also urged residents to help in this effort by removing standing water where mosquitoes can breed.  

Here are the county's tips for decreasing your risk of contracting West Nile Virus:

To help eliminate mosquito breeding grounds where you live:

• Get rid of all water-holding containers, especially old tires, cans, buckets, drums, wheelbarrows and bottles.
• Cover outdoor trash containers to keep rainwater from accumulating inside.
• Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are left outdoors.
• Clean roof gutters and remove standing water from flat roofs.
• Drain water in birdbaths, plant pots and drip trays twice a week.
• Sweep driveways after it rains so that they are free of puddles. 
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. Keep them empty and covered if not in use; drain water that collects in pool covers.

To reduce your risk of mosquito bites:

• Avoid being outdoors in places and during times where and when mosquitoes are active and feeding.
• Use insect repellents with no more than 30% DEET, but use them sparingly and with care.
• Select the lowest concentration effective for the amount of time spent outdoors.
• Products with concentrations around 10% are effective for periods of approximately two hours.
• A concentration of 24% has been shown to provide an average of five hours of protection. DEET should not be applied more than once a day.
• Products containing DEET are not recommended for use on children under 2 months of age. Carefully read and follow directions on the container and wash treated skin when mosquito exposure has ended.
• Wear protective clothing such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts and socks when outdoors in areas and at times where and when mosquitoes are active.
• Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens.
• Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.

For more information on the department's larviciding and West Nile virus prevention activities, call the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000 or visitwww.westchestergov.com/health.