SEPT. NEWS: New York Fights West Nile Virus

NEW YORK— New York City is once again under attack from the mosquito-borne West Nile virus, but the city is not fighting the battle lying down. New York City has been undergoing extensive mosquito control efforts, including early monitoring of mosquitoes, birds and hospital reports; the use of larvicides; educating the public about eliminating breeding sites; and targeted pesticide spraying.

On August 11, tests results confirmed that a 64-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man, both from Staten Island, had contracted the virus. The summer’s first case of West Nile virus was confirmed in a 78-year-old Staten Island man in late July. All three were treated at local hospitals and were expected to make complete recoveries. The trio of confirmed cases were the latest in a string of events that caused New York City health personnel and government officials to take action.

Following a pair of West Nile virus scares in late July, in which two dead infected crows were found on Staten Island and virus-infected mosquitoes were found north and east of the city, New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani urged residents to remain calm.

"I think people should be calm about it just the way people in the city were last year," Giuliani said.

Last summer, seven New York City area residents died and another 62 fell ill because of the virus. West Nile virus can cause mild to severe illness. In the most extreme cases, infection can cause encephalitis, which can cause swelling of the brain. Elderly people and people with weak immune systems are most at risk.

So far this summer, West Nile virus has not been responsible for any deaths in the New York City area. However, after the pair of infected crows were found in Staten Island, Giuliani ordered the area to be ground-sprayed with pesticide. On the night of July 24, ground spraying closed Central Park. Ground spraying has also been taking place on Long Island.

Spraying for mosquitoes with pesticides has proved to be a public relations nightmare for the city. In addition to raising environmental concerns from the public, the effectiveness of spraying for mosquitoes is a subject of much debate. Insecticides applied by fogging and through ultra-low volume (ULV) application are only temporary in nature and kill only those adults that pass through the droplets. Many New York City area pest management professionals are questioning the city’s wisdom.

"I really think that all of the spraying has been foolish," said Bernard Wendell, manager, education and training, Arrow Exterminating, Lynbrook, N.Y. "If you spray, the mosquitoes will just move away from the spraying. I think it is just a reaction to public pressure."

One of the problems with spraying for mosquitoes is having the resources to accurately monitor its effectiveness. Areas sprayed for mosquitoes may be large, requiring hundreds of people to trap mosquitoes and record data.

Mike Deutsch, senior entomologist, Assured Environments, Manhattan, said it is possible that spraying has had some effect on mosquitoes, but he says there really is no good way to measure effectiveness.

"It was a knee-jerk reaction by the city to quell the fears of the public," he said. "I’d like to see a more measured response based on scientific data."

Deutsch added that requests for mosquito control have increased for his company. He says his technicians have been treating in basements and in low-lying areas in homes and commercial establishments in Long Island, N.Y.; New Jersey; and Connecticut.

Pest management consultant Austin Frishman, Farmingdale, N.Y., agreed that in most instances, fogging and ULV treatments are not the best option but added that in New York City’s case, "the city is in a position where it has to prevent people from getting bitten and save lives."

Frishman also commended the city for spraying in the morning and evening (when mosquitoes are most active) and for targeting its spraying.

"I think the city is going about it in the proper manner," he said. "They have taken blood samples from birds and gathered other information to make mathematical models (to pinpoint the areas to treat). They are not just treating willy-nilly."