By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – West Nile Virus may have faded from the news, especially because of the threat posed by a potential flu pandemic. But Erie County Health Commissioner Anthony Billittier says West Nile is still in the area.
He says testing has confirmed the presence of two mosquito pools containing West Nile in the Harlem-Kensington and Transit-Klein neighborhoods of Amherst. A dead crow tested positive in South Buffalo.
Billittier says the continued presence of West Nile means people need to be reminded of ways to avoid disease-carrying mosquitos.
"If you're going out, especially at times when mosquitos bite in the morning or at night, make sure you cover your skin with long sleeves and long pants," Billittier said. "You should consider using an insect repellant containing DEET on any exposed skin."
Billittier says people should remove any standing water from their property.
He says infection from the West Nile Virus will result in symptoms in just a small percentage of people. But it 2002, it did claim the life of an elderly man, the only local fatality from the West Nile Virus to date.