Doctor issues warning about West Nile virus after Westchester case
Dr. David Jerome, from Saint Joseph's Family Health Center in Yonkers, says the virus typically spreads through mosquito bites during the summer.
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Health experts say you don't need to stay indoors but that you do need to stay smart after Westchester's first human West Nile case of the year was confirmed.
Dr. David Jerome, from Saint Joseph's Family Health Center in Yonkers, says the virus typically spreads through mosquito bites during the summer.
"Majority of people don't have symptoms that occur, but there are a small subset that do end up having some pretty significant symptoms that they experience," Jerome says.
His warning comes just a day after officials confirmed a man in Yonkers has the county's first positive human case this year.
"I was very shocked to hear about it," Jerome says. "It's very concerning to know that it's basically made its way to this area."
To try and avoid the virus, Jerome encourages using insect repellant and wearing long sleeves and long pants.
Mosquito expert Scott Shaw, from Mosquito Joe, also advises you to remove any standing water near your home.
"So, making sure your birdbaths are cleaned out. Any kiddie pools that you have, that you dump them out every two to three days," Shaw says.
Shaw says this advice also applies to your roof gutters that hold water.
"They tend to be right above your patio, where you might be enjoying a barbecue or trying to eat and relax, and the mosquitos are breeding, right there, above you," Shaw says.
Despite concerns, people at Lenoir Preserve in Yonkers say the virus won't keep them indoors.
"Some love nature. Can't help if you're going to be bitten, you're going to be bitten," says Yonkers resident Joe Agugliaro.
