The Wayne County Public Health (WCPH) Department has received notification from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) that a total of three horses have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). All three horses were located on the same farm in the Town of Rose.
The NYSDOH is currently trapping for mosquitoes in the affected area; however, results of these pools are either pending or negative.
As a temporary control measure to help prevent the spread of the EEE virus, aerial spraying will be conducted. The target area will be within the following boundaries: Route 104 on the North, Wayne Center Rose Road on the South, Covell Road on the East and Pilgrimport Road on the West. The projected dates for spraying are Wednesday September 24 or Thursday September 25. Residents within the targeted area will be notified at least 24hours prior to spraying by WCPH staff.
During aerial spraying, people in the target area should stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed for one hour after the spraying. They are also advised to:
- Keep pets indoors.
- Close the vents on window air conditioners so that outside air doesn’t enter the home for one hour.
- Remove outdoor toys, outdoor furniture, and clothing from the clothesline. Items left outdoors should be washed thoroughly with soap and water before using.
- If you are driving through an area while spraying takes place, close your car windows and vents.
- Cover gardens, or rinse homegrown fruits and vegetables thoroughly before cooking or eating.
- Remove bee hives from the spray area. The pesticide to be sprayed will kill bees!
A copy of the pesticide label and Material Data Safety Sheets (MSDS) including all warnings, and fact sheets about permethrin aerial spraying can be found on the Wayne County Web site at http://www.co.wayne.ny.us or obtained by calling the Wayne County Public Health Department at 946-5749 or 1-800-724-1170 weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Further information on how to protect yourself against EEE can also be found on the website.
WCPH urges all horse owners to get your horses vaccinated for EEE and for West Nile Virus. Both diseases can be deadly for horses. Please arrange vaccination with your equine veterinarian.
There is no human vaccine for EEE. The best way to protect yourself is to keep mosquitoes from biting you.