Nassau County Deputy Presiding Officer Roger Corbin (D-Westbury) invites residents to a free workshop on West Nile Virus being offered by the Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE). The Community Education Training Program will discuss the symptoms and effects of West Nile virus, as well as ways residents can help reduce the mosquito population in their local communities.

"Since the discovery of West Nile Virus in the New York metropolitan area several years ago, residents have worked to mitigate its impact by becoming knowledgeable in how to combat this problem," said Corbin. "It is important for everyone to remain informed with the latest information on how to reduce exposure to the virus."

West Nile Virus has become a substantial concern to Long Islanders over the last several summers. In order to help ease concerns and prevent future infections, the Cornell Cooperative Extension is joining with the Nassau County Department of Health to help educate Long Islanders about the virus.

The training sessions will include a description of the virus to determine if an individual has been infected. Preventive measures related to clothing and repellants, as well as information on how residents can reduce the mosquito population on their own property will be addressed. A question-and-answer segment will also be incorporated into the program.

Workshops are scheduled from July 24 and August 28 at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Office in Plainview at 1425 Old Country Road, Building J. To reserve a place in either workshop, contact Tamson Yeh of the Cornell Cooperative Extension at 454-0900, ext. 248 or e-mail her at tsy3@cce.cornell.com.

Nassau County Deputy Presiding Officer Roger Corbin (D-Westbury) is reaching out to Nassau County residents who may be experiencing health problems after taking part in the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center following the Sept. 11 attacks.

Through a federally funded program, the Long Island Occupational and Environmental Health Center (LIOEHC), and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are offering free medical examinations to eligible Long Islanders who were involved in the rescue, recovery, law enforcement, cleanup and other support services in Lower Manhattan and the Fresh Kills Landfill. Workers and volunteers in these areas may have been exposed to dust containing toxic substances causing health problems particularly of the lungs, nasal passages and sinuses.

Examinations will take place at specific locations in Nassau County, Suffolk County, New York City and New Jersey. Residents should call 1-888-702-0639 to see if they are eligible for the medical examination. Due to limited funding, workers and volunteers determined to be at highest risk for exposure will be the first priority of the program.