RyeCity REVIEW THE
September 13, 2019 | Vol. 7, Number 36 | www.ryecityreview.com
Making strides
Mosquitoes with West Nile found in Westchester
American Cancer Society kicked off Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in August with hundreds of volunteers, supporters, guests speaking about their breast cancer diagnosis, survivorship and involvement in the area’s leading breast cancer walk. For more, see page 6. Contributed photo
The Westchester County Health Department announced that this season’s first batch of mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus in Westchester was identified in Mamaroneck.
Eastchester to provide Resource Officers to local schools The Eastchester town board has voted to approve funding for a School Resource Officer in the Eastchester and Tuckahoe school districts. The officers will be assigned to the schools for the entire school year and work on a daily basis whenever school is in session. The officer will be responsible to provide safety and securi-
ty as well as maintain order in and around the school sites. The town entered into a threeyear Inter-Municipal Agreement, IMA, with both school districts detailing duties and responsibilities for both parties. The officer will be present at the school whenever school is in session. The officer will resume his/her duties in the Patrol
Division when school is not in session. Eastchester Town Supervisor Anthony Colavita was very pleased that the agreement has been signed and approved. “There has been a great deal of support for the S.R.O. Program,” Colavita said. “We budgeted for two additional officers who will backfill the shifts
of the more experienced SRO’s who will be on each campus. The School Boards of Trustees worked closely with my office and the Police Department to make this a reality. Having a uniformed armed officer at the schools is a strong security measure and is indicative of the Town’s commitment of safety for our students.” (Submitted)
The Westchester County Health Department announced that this season’s first batch of mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus in Westchester was identified in Mamaroneck. The area surrounding the positive mosquito batches was inspected by the Health Department, which has treated nearby catch basins 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 test out of 195 batches of mosquitoes collected in Westchester that were tested for West Nile Virus by the New York State Department of Health. Last year, the first positive batch was collected in Westchester on July 24. Statewide, the state Health Department had identified 361 positive mosquito batches as of Aug. 30, including 266 in New York City. “To protect yourself and your family when you spend time out-
doors, use repellents, especially from dawn to dusk, when mosquitoes are most active,” Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said. 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 450 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 identified in 10 local mosquito batches out of 393 submitted for testing and four people were diagnosed with West Nile Virus. In 2017, West Nile Virus was identified in five local mosquito batches out of 380 submitted for testing and three people were diagnosed with West Nile Virus. West Nile Virus infection most often causes a mild or moderate WEST NILE continued on page 14