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Contact:

Address:
McKean County Conservation District
17137 Route 6
Smethport, PA 16749

Phone:
814.887.4001

Sandy Thompson
District Manager
Cell: 814-598-5499
Phone: 814-887-4001
Email: Click here

Heather McKean
Watershed Conservationist
Phone: 814-887-4003
Email: Click here

Carol Riedmiller
Resource Conservationist
Phone: 814-887-4002
Email: Click here

Sherry Dumire
Resource Conservationist
Phone: 814-887-4008
Email: Click here

 


 



West Nile Virus Program Suspended


McKean County Conservation District - West Nile Virus

Contact:  Heather McKean – 814-887-4003 - Click here to email


West Nile Virus Control Program

In 1999, WNV was detected for the first time in the United States in New York City.  This led to the startup of a multi-agency network for West Nile Virus surveillance and prevention in        Pennsylvania. The County through Penn State Extension has participated in the state-funded West Nile Virus (WNV) Program since 2000 when Pennsylvania started its program.  The McKean County Conservation District will begin implementation of the program in 2007.
      
Presently, the West Nile Virus Control Program is designed to reduce the risk of West Nile Virus. An integrated mosquito management (IMM) program is the most effective way to prevent and control mosquito-borne disease.  Such a program includes the following: surveillance, the reduction of mosquito breeding sites, community outreach and public education, and the ability to use chemical and biological methods to control both mosquito larvae and adult mosquitoes. Control measures, including the use of chemical adulticides, are based on surveillance data and the risk of human disease.  The WNV control program runs from early April to late October, which coincides with the active mosquito season.  WNV is typically transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. 
 
Surveillance

The purpose of mosquito surveillance is to monitor levels of mosquito activity and where virus transmission is or could be occurring. The county program coordinator will collect adult and larval samples at least twice a week from April through October,at various sites throughout McKean County. Collected samples are sent to DEP in Harrisburg for identification and testing.

Types of mosquito traps pictured below. If you see these important surveillance tools in your community, please do not disturb them.

                                                  Help Fight Mosquitoes!

• Empty containers that collect and hold water (including tires, tin cans,  buckets,  tarps, etc.)
• Empty & change water in bird baths, flower pot trays, cemetery urns,  pet  dishes, rain barrels, and wading pools
• Clean debris from rain gutters & keep swimming pools treated and circulating
• Drain or fill puddles with dirt
• Stock ornamental ponds with fish which will consume mosquito larvae
• Use mosquito repellents containing DEET when necessary and follow label  directions and precautions carefully, especially with children
• Make sure window and door screens are “bug tight”
• Horse Owners are encouraged to contact their veterinarian for more  information on the Equine WNV Vaccine 

*REMEMBER WATER SITTING LONGER THAN 4 DAYS CAN PRODUCE MOSQUITOES!*

Other Sources of Information

• PA Department of Environmental Protection  http://www.westnile.state.pa.us/
• PA Department of Health http://www.health.state.pa.us 1-(877)-PA-HEALTH (724-3258)
• Center for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm
• Mid-Atlantic  Mosquito Control Association http://www.mamca.org