As summer begins, Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (8th Senate

District), a member of the State Senate's Health Committee, is reminding

residents that prevention is the best way to help combat the threat of West

Nile virus.

According to the New York State Department of Health, West Nile virus

is a mosquito-borne infection that can cause serious illness and, in some

cases, death. Although a person's chances of getting sick are small,

residents are advised to take the following steps to reduce the risk of

being bitten by mosquitoes:

• Reduce or eliminate all standing water.

• Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar

water-holding containers.

• Dispose of used tires. Used tires are a significant mosquito

breeding site. Call your local landfill or Department of Public Works

to find out how to dispose of them properly.

• Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept

outdoors.

• Make sure roof gutters drain properly, and clean clogged gutters in

the spring and fall.

• Remove leaf debris from yards and gardens.

• Turn over wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.

• Change the water in birdbaths twice a week.

• Clean vegetation and debris from edges of ponds.

• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs.

• Drain water from pool covers.

• Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your

property.

Senator Fuschillo is also offering a brochure with information about

West Nile virus, which residents can obtain free of charge by calling his

office at 546-4100, or by visiting his website at

www.senatorfuschillo.com and clicking on the "Order Brochures" link on the

left side of the page. Additional information can be obtained by calling

the New York State Department of Health at 1-800-458-1158, or by visiting

www.health.state.ny.us/