RyeCity REVIEW THE
August 19, 2022 | Vol. 10, Number 33 | www.ryecityreview.com
Mosquitoes with West Nile found in Westchester
The Westchester County Health Department learned Friday that this season’s first batch of mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus in Westchester was identified in Rye.
Applications increase under state’s Red Flag Law Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday a major increase in applications for Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) under New York’s Red Flag Law—with substantially more ERPOs filed in the last three months than in all of 2021. The increase comes after Governor Hochul took decisive action in the wake of the mass shooting in Buffalo, issuing an executive order requiring state police to expand their use of the Red Flag Law and working with the state Legislature to pass a new law requiring all law enforcement agencies in New York to increase the use of these potentially life-saving orders. Hochul made the announcement in Suffolk County where the county Sheriff’s Office is reporting a more than 75% increase in utilization of the Red Flag Law over the last three months. “My top priority as governor is to keep New Yorkers safe,” Hochul said. “In the wake of the horrific shooting in my hometown of Buffalo, we took quick and decisive action to get illegal guns off our streets and away from individuals who would use them to harm themselves or others. Now, we see our efforts are working, thanks to the heroic efforts of our partners in law enforcement who are on the front lines in the fight to protect public safety and end the scourge of gun violence.” On May 18, four days after the Buffalo shooting, Hochul issued an executive order directing the state police to apply for an ERPO when there is probable cause that someone posed a danger to themselves or others. On July 6, a new state law signed by the governor took effect, expanding that order to all law enforcement agencies and district attorneys. The law also
added to the list of those who can file orders. A total of 832 temporary and final ERPOs have been issued in New York state in the past three months (May-August), compared to the 1,424 issued from August 2019 to April 2022. State police have filed 184 red flag applications since Hochul signed Executive Order 19 on May 18, a more than 93% increase over the 95 orders filed by state police in all of 2021. Suffolk County has been a leader in utilizing ERPOs since the Red Flag Law was enacted in August of 2019. Since the week of May 16, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office has served 114 protection orders, a more than 75% increase compared with all of 2021.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday a major increase in applications for Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) under New York’s Red Flag Law—with substantially more ERPOs filed in the last three months than in all of 2021.
The Westchester County Health Department learned Friday that this season’s first batch of mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus in Westchester was identified in Rye. The area surrounding the positive mosquito batches is being inspected by the Health Department, and catch basins that need it are being treated to protect against further mosquito breeding nearby. Westchester County Executive George Latimer recommended residents follow the Health Department’s West Nile Virus prevention advice to avoid mosquito bites. “We can keep mosquitoes from breeding and biting us in our own backyards if we pour out standing water after it rains and remove or turn over wheelbarrows, flower pot drip trays and any toy pails or watering cans,” Latimer said. To date, this is the first positive out of 101 batches of mosquitoes collected in Westchester that were tested for West Nile Virus by the state Department of Health. It was collected on July 26. Last year, the first positive batch in Westchester was collected in Westchester on July 13. “To protect yourself and your family when you spend time outdoors, use repellents, especially from dawn to dusk, when mosquitoes are most active,” said county Health Commissioner Dr. SherlitaAmler. The Health Department prepared for the mosquito season by educating the public through news releases, flyers, social media and our website, where a report on mosquito control and surveillance can be found on the West Nile Virus page. The Health Department also gave 250 pounds of free fathead minnows to residents with ponds to reduce the mosquito population. The minnows reduce the mosquito population by feeding on larvae and pupae before they emerge into adult mosquitoes. Throughout the season, the Department also traps and tests mosquitoes to track the presence of mosquito-borne viruses in the county. Last year, West Nile Virus was iden-
tified in four local mosquito batches out of 153 submitted for testing and three people were diagnosed with the virus. West Nile Virus infection most often causes a mild or moderate flulike illness, but can be more serious particularly for people 60 and older, and those with other health complications. To reduce the chances for mosquitoes to breed and bite around your home, follow these tips: -Avoid the outdoors in the late afternoon and early evening when mosquitoes are active and feeding; use insect repellents when outdoors during these times and follow the label instructions. • To protect infants over two months of age, adults can apply insect repellents with up to 30% DEET to their own hands and then rub it onto their children. Products containing DEET are not recommended for use on children under two months of age. • Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and socks when outdoors, especially in areas where mosquitoes are active and feeding. • Discard or turn over cans, plastic containers and ceramic pots outside your home to avoid accumulating water. • Remove standing water from outdoor toys and play houses. • Remove discarded tires. • Drill holes in the bottoms of all recycling containers that are left outdoors. • Turn over plastic wading pools, buckets and wheelbarrows when not in use. • Change the water in birdbaths at least twice weekly. • Keep storm drains and gutters clear of leaves and debris. • Chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor spas and hot tubs until properly winterized or drained for the season. Also, if not chlorinated, drain any water that collects on their covers. Residents who notice large areas of standing water on public property should report them to the county Department of Health at 813-5000.