Results tagged “westnilevirus”

Don't you love the smell of larvicide in the morning? To pre-emptively combat West Nile virus and eradicate mosquito larvae before they eradicate us, the Health Department will be spraying "marsh and other non-residential areas of Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island." Because these mosquito hotbeds are inaccessible by ground vehicles, helicopters will be deployed to exterminate the brutes, who are believed to be breeding rapidly in these areas. The spraying is scheduled for Monday through Wednesday, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. But instead of just napalming the area and getting it over with, those bleeding hearts at the Health Department will be using VectoBac™ CG and/or VectoLex™ CG, which officials say contain "naturally occurring bacteria" and are approved by the EPA and state Department of Environmental Conservation. (Jeez, why not just give them a warm cup of soup and a blood transfusion, too?) And in a remarkable breach of security, the Health Department website has leaked the full list of targets for the strike, so at least you'll now how close you are to the kill zone.

An elderly Queens woman and a Bronx man are the first two to have been infected with the West Nile Virus this season. Neither case has proven fatal. The Department of Health is reporting that more mosquitoes have been testing positive for the virus this year. They encourage New Yorkers to use insect repellent containing DEET, wear protective clothing, make sure windows have screens and get rid of any standing water. Last year West Nile infected 18, three of whom died from the disease.

The Office of Emergency Management would like to remind you that for the next three days, New York City will be grosser than usual, with the heat index tipping 90 every day. But the professionals at OEM are on the case with such well-researched tips as,"Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing" and "Use an air conditioner if you have one." What would we do without our City government?

This may turn out to be the most boring weather week of the year. As Gothamist looks out our window we see a few fair weather cumulus over the Upper West Side. Those few clouds may be the most exciting weather we see all week. Clear skies and pleasant temperatures should prevail through Friday. Oh, some clouds may make an appearance on Wednesday, and again on Friday, but they won't be that much more extensive than this morning's lonely mass of suspended water droplets.

- Three New Yorkers have been diagnosed with West Nile Virus; remember: no standing water on your property

Partly cloudyish, high of 81.