County Executive Robert Astorino wants you to be aware of the steps the County has taken and will be taking to prevent mosquitoes from multiplying.  With the growing news reports on ZIka, many of you may become concerned about the potential risks of mosquitoes at home and around your neighborhood. This update provides information on the steps the County is taking to reduce the mosquito population, Westchester County has a robust plan that includes education, surveillance, and mosquito control.

Education: Look for the flyer “Keep Healthy and Get the Facts” in the Library that provides information on Zika and includes a link to a new brochure “Keep Healthy and Bug Off”.  These materials offer personal protective measures that can be taken to avoid mosquito bites and to reduce standing water. Please review these materials and visit the department’s website www.westchestergov.com/health  for up-to-date information. Residents also can call the health department at 813-5000 to report standing water in their area.

Surveillance:  The Westchester County Department of Health has doubled the number of mosquito trap sites and has added a new trap designed to attract and capture Aedes mosquitoes – the kind that is capable of transmitting Zika. The health department will monitor the mosquitoes found in Westchester and send mosquitoes for testing for West Nile and Zika viruses.

Mosquito Control:  The Westchester County Department of Health will continue its mosquito control efforts, which include larviciding and distributing minnows.  Starting May 9^th, the health department will evaluate and treat catch basins that can hold standing water throughout the county. To further reduce the mosquito population, the health department will give residents free minnows to add to their backyard ponds and water features and free dunks for their birdbaths, rain barrels and unused pools, as follows:

• Wednesday – Friday, May 4-6, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Thursday – Friday, May 19-20, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturday, May 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Help spread the word on measures residents can take to protect themselves and their families against mosquito bites.  The County is prepared and ready to respond.