It was announced last Friday that the first birds in Nassau County to test positive for the West Nile Virus this year were found in Bethpage and in North Wantagh. While this discovery does raise some concerns local officials are reassuring the public that none of the mosquitoes collected in the area and tested have been found to be carrying the disease, indicating that these birds may have flown in from somewhere else.

The first bird found was a crow, collected on June 26 in Bethpage, south of the Grumman property. The second bird, a song sparrow, collected on July 12, was found in Wantagh near the Wantagh Parkway, Southern State Parkway interchange.

"In recognition that birds can fly long distances and as part of our strategic mosquito control program, additional mosquito traps have been set at the sites of the dead birds to determine whether infected mosquitoes are in the area. To date, no mosquitoes have tested positive for the virus. If infected mosquitoes are found in the area, a value judgment will be made to determine if limited spraying is required," said Nassau County Executive Thomas Gulotta in a news release distributed on Friday.

Nassau County Legislator Dennis Dunne, whose legislative district covers the areas where both birds were found, explained that the legislature has been informed that because, as of July 24, none of the more than 30,000 mosquitoes collected in the traps from 40 different locations across the county have tested positive for the disease there is no plan to spray in Nassau right now. "What they are going to spray, if in fact they do spray, will be Scourge by ground truck or, if they do have to go by helicopter, and that's the worst case scenario, then they will spray Anvil. We are not going to be spraying Malathion," said Dunne. "That was a big concern in the community and that's been put to rest."

Dunne noted that if the decision to spray is made, it must be made quickly. He explained that last year the peak time for mosquitoes testing positive for the West Nile Virus was Aug. 22 and after that the numbers dropped dramatically. There is a two-week incubation period for the disease, according to Dunne, so the optimum time to spray would be two weeks before the peak, which would be approximately Aug. 7-8. Last year Nassau County sprayed in September and October.

The legislature, on Monday, passed Republican-sponsored legislation that insured notification of spraying would be given to residents 24-hours before the actual spraying takes place. "This year we are trying to make it a little more coordinated and a better effort made on the part of the county to notify the people," said Dunne.

Both Dunne and Gulotta have encouraged residents to take all possible precautions when it comes to mosquito prevention. One of the biggest concerns is that all standing water be gotten rid of because that is where the mosquitoes breed. "These household mosquitoes, which are the carriers of West Nile Virus, travel less than 200 feet from their original breeding ground to find a victim. It is imperative that homeowners do not leave these insects the slightest opportunity to breed," said the county executive.

"Consider wearing long pants, long sleeves, and socks and mosquito repellent according to the directions when outdoors, where mosquitoes are active," suggested Dunne. "If you are going to go walking on that trail along Wantagh Avenue that takes you to Jones Beach, ride your bike, or roller blade, I would wear long pants and mosquito repellent, especially late in the afternoon and from dusk to dawn."

The Health Department, according to Nassau County Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Gaffney, appreciates all residents who have called to report dead birds and maps all findings. Only birds meeting certain eligibility requirements are tested, as per the New York State Department's Conservation and Health protocol. Only crows, blue jays, raptors (hawks and owls) and some sparrows will be tested; no "road kills," birds infected with maggots or birds attacked by another animal; only birds that have died within the last few hours (if the bird was observed alive a few hours before or the area where the bird was found was observed a few hours before and no bird was there). Due to the high number of birds being sent to the state by all counties, even birds meeting all these criteria may not be accepted for laboratory testing. Health department staff have the current information and will advise the individual caller.

Residents needing additional information may contact the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management at 573-7055, Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or the Nassau County Mosquito Control Program at 571-8707, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Dunne also encourages his constituents to contact his district office if they have any concerns.