Areas in Oswego County will soon be sprayed in an effort to combat the Easter Equine Encephalitis, or EEE, virus.
Spraying will begin in the towns of West Monroe, Hastings and Central Square.
The New York State Department of Health discourages going outside during spraying. Though it is not deadly, it is best to not breathe in the pesticides.
Authorities decided to start spraying when mosquitoes found in traps in the Toad Harbor Swamp carried EEE virus.
A date and time has not yet been set for the spraying. Chris Williams, an employee of the Department of Health, said the ideal weather for spraying would be slightly windy with an air temperature of above 60 degrees. The weather right now has not been optimal.
“We need to get under the forest canopy, so a little bit of wind movement is what we need,” Williams said. “The bugs need to be out and moving so that the spray can come into contact with them.”
The pesticide has to touch the mosquito to kill it.
To test if the aerial spraying is effective, traps are set right before the spraying. If the mosquitoes in those traps are dead, it is a good indicator that the spray worked.
The EEE virus, carried by mosquitoes, can be deadly. There is no cure for humans, although there is a cure for horses. The Department of Health in New York State describe symptoms as a “sudden onset of headache, high fever, neck stiffness, muscle weakness, altered mental status, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) or … meningitis or coma.”
Although only 10 or so cases of the EEE virus are reported each year in the U.S., one third of patients die from the virus. Those who do not die may suffer mild to severe brain damage. Since there is no cure, hospitals often can only give supportive or respiratory therapy.
So far, there have been two reported cases of the EEE virus, according to Syracuse.com. One man in the Salina area was hospitalized for it, and still is in critical condition, although he is stable. Another person was reported to have the EEE virus in Louisiana.
Central New York in particular is a hot spot for mosquitoes and the EEE virus because of the large amount of stagnant water.
“Toad Harbor in particular is preferred by mosquitoes, because it is an upland hardwood swamp,” Williams said.
An upland hardwood swamp is comprised of low-level shrubs and sitting water, a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Only one type of mosquito carries the EEE virud, which is the species culiseta melanura, Williams said.
Although only 30 percent of mosquitoes can carry the virus, it still poses a huge health risk, especially in places near stagnant water.
Oswego State does not have the same risk level as other places in Oswego County since it is situated near a large, open lake and is fairly windy. However, it is still a good idea to take precautions, especially during dawn or dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
To prevent getting bitten, cover as much skin as possible – long sleeves and jeans work as a great barrier against bites. Wearing an insect repellent such as DEET or eucalyptus oil will also ward away mosquitoes.
