I just got this letter to the editor forwarded to me. It was sent to the Westmore News, a local Rye newspaper. As a Public Official my staff and I work for you. We do not do it for accolades, but it certainly is nice when we are recognized for doing a good job. Managing the risks of West Nile virus in Rye Brook The Village of Rye Brook has been linked consistently to West Nile virus in recent years. According to statistics posted on the Westchester County Health Departments website, Rye Brook is one of only three Westchester County municipalities where mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile virus in 2013. The others are Mount Vernon and Greenburgh. Of the seven positive test results, two were found in Rye Brook-once on July 16 and again on Sept. 4. Rye Brook also made headlines for a human case of West Nile virus in 2010. As the Countys website explains, West Nile virus is a disease carried by mosquitoes (health.westchestergov/west-nile-virus). It can cause serious illness in humans and may even be fatal. People only get West Nile virus when they are bitten by a mosquito that has bitten an infected bird. So far this year there have been few human cases despite the presence of virus-carrying mosquitoes. We can all be thankful for that. The folks who deserve our thanks include the good people throughout the Village who took steps to eliminate standing water and to follow the guidelines for prevention of mosquito breeding. But there is also a special team of dedicated professionals who deserve our thanks. I am writing to express a big thank you to the officials and employees of our County Health Department for their tireless efforts in inspecting and treating more than 50,000 catch basins on public property throughout the County and especially to Peter DeLucia, Assistant Commissioner of the Bureau of Public Health Protection. When Mr. DeLucia learned that Rye Brook mosquitoes were the first in the County to test positive for the virus, he authorized the inspection of storm drains in the Arbors as well as the application of a special supply of larvicide. This larvicide would otherwise have been unused because the toxicity was too short-lived for the normal early-season applications to public roads. Thank you, Mr. DeLucia! Despite the herculean efforts and fast responses of our County officials, maybe the time has come to ask, Why us? and What more can be done to reduce the risks of West Nile virus in Rye Brook? Is it possible that Rye Brook has more underground electrical transformers than other municipalities and these underground transformers constitute a risk factor? When it rains frequently (as it did in the spring and summer of 2013), the transformers sit in a puddle of water under an open grate similar in some ways to a storm water catch basin. I have read that underground transformer sites are tested and treated with larvicide in other municipalities. But perhaps a better long-term solution is to petition Con Edison to upgrade the aging electrical infrastructure. Or perhaps there are other risk factors linking Rye Brooks name to West Nile virus. Whatever the cause, the results are a little alarming. Shouldnt they be investigated by our local government officials and consultants? Rosemary Schlank 9 Bayberry La. Rye Brook
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 18:40:09 +0000
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