West Nile virus found in Flushing mosquito

West Nile virus, a sickness that has already killed more than 300 New Yorkers since first reported here, has been found in Flushing.
A spokesperson for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) confirmed recently that there was a positive result for the West Nile virus in the continuing sampling of mosquitoes, which DOHMH has conducted since the first outbreak of West Nile Virus in 1999.
According to Sarah Markt of the DOHMH, &#8220We take samples (of mosquitoes) throughout the city, throughout the summer. This is the first sign we've had, and it was an insect.” Markt declared that there were no birds or humans reported to have contracted the virus so far.
Last year, there were 160 &#8220pools,” the jargon for collected bug samples, which tested positive for West Nile. &#8220This was the first positive pool,” Markt said of the Flushing sample which sparked the DOHMH warning.
The city has been actively fighting mosquito populations by applying larvicide, a poison which kills the immature mosquitoes before they achieve adult form, on wetland areas, especially in northeast Queens.
Although there have been heavy rains during the periods when DOHMH had announced such larvicide applications around the wetland corridors near Kissena and Alley Pond parks, Markt told The Queens Courier that the program had been completed. &#8220The weather-related delays were a few days at most,” she said.
On Monday, July 30, the DOHMH announced that it would perform another round of larvicide application over non-residential areas in Queens, including the marsh areas of Alley Pond Park and abandoned Flushing Airport. These applications will be done from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and should be completed by Monday, August 6.
The announcement comes on the heels of reports from both Nassau and Suffolk County sites where mosquitoes were caught which tested positive for the deadly virus.
The Suffolk County sample was taken on July 17, the same day as the Flushing positive and the Nassau County sample was taken two days later.
The DOHMH has this advice for New Yorkers, to reduce their chanced of contracting West Nile virus:
Use an approved insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, according to manufacturers' instructions.
Make sure windows have screens, and repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.
Eliminate any standing water from your property, and dispose of containers that can collect water. Standing water is a violation of the New York City Health Code.
Make sure roof gutters are clean and draining properly.
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.