The Commissioner of Nassau County’s Health Department recently reported that the 1st human case of West Nile Virus has been confirmed in Nassau County. Below please find the Commissioner’s news release as well as tips on preventing the spread of mosquitoes and West Nile.

First Human Case of West Nile Virus Confirmed in State and Nassau County in 2010
Nassau County Department of Health is reporting the first confirmed case of West Nile virus (WNV) in a Nassau County resident this year. This is the first human case of West Nile virus in Nassau County and in New York State in 2010.

The individual is a 66-year-old female who resides in New Hyde Park.  Her symptoms include headache, weakness, fever and blurry vision.  She became ill on July 5th, and is resting at home.

Most people who are infected with WNV will not have any type of illness. About one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent. Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected have symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms can last for as short as a few days, though even healthy people have become sick for several weeks.  Approximately 80 percent of people who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all.

To date, seven (7) mosquito pools have tested positive for West Nile virus in Nassau County this year. Nassau County Departments of Health and Public Works will continue their mosquito control efforts by inspecting breeding sites and, when necessary, applying larvicide. Mosquito surveillance will continue at 42 trap sites located throughout the County, and will be intensified in the New Hyde Park, Valley Stream, Massapequa, Merrick, Wantagh, Westbury and Bethpage areas.  Also, Nassau County is now making preparations for possible ground spraying in targeted areas of the County.

Because West Nile virus is present throughout New York State and beyond, and the primary carrier of WNV in Nassau County is Culex pipiens-restuans, or “the house mosquito” which does not fly more than 200 feet from its breeding site, residents are urged to continue to take the following precautions for safety and protection:

~ Remove or empty standing water from children’s outdoor toys, flower pots, garbage cans, pails, old tires, or any object that can hold water.

~ Make sure roof gutters drain properly; clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall.

~ Keep swimming pools chlorinated and their covers free of stagnant water.
 
~ Change the water in birdbaths every two or three days.

~ Install window and door screens and keep them in good repair.

~ Consider wearing long sleeves, pants, socks and mosquito repellent (according to directions) if outdoors when mosquitoes are active, especially in the late afternoon and evening hours.

~ Decorative ponds and water features should be circulated or chlorinated if they do not contain fish to prevent mosquito breeding.

For mosquito, stagnant water, or drainage problems, call the Nassau County Department of Public Works at: (516) 572-1166, weekdays from 7:45 am to 3:30 pm.

For additional information on West Nile virus activity, contact the Nassau County Department of Health at: (516) 227-9700.  Additional West Nile virus information may be found on the Nassau County Department of Health website at
http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Health/westnile.html

13th Legislative District Update

Nassau County is experiencing a budgetary crisis.  Some of the problems are due to the current recession which has reduced the county revenues from sources such as sales tax receipts.  However, much of the imbalance is a result of years of overspending and excessive borrowing.  County Comptroller George Maragos recently issued the 2009 year end analysis stating that, “…the County had an operating structural budget deficit of $248.9 Million” in 2009. The structural deficit is the difference between recurring revenues and expenses.

The new Legislative Majority and the new County Executive are already taking measures to fix the fiscal mess we inherited.  We must cut spending and stop turning to the taxpayers to fill budget gaps.  I am proud of my vote to repeal the onerous Home Energy Tax.  The repeal takes effect June 1st, which was the earliest effective date permitted by State law.  I have also joined with County Executive Mangano to announce $49 Million in spending cuts to fill the gap in the 2010 budget. These cuts include $22 Million eliminated from the county payroll.

We are also exploring options to reform the broken assessment system. Last year, the county paid out over $117 Million in tax refunds due to erroneous assessments. The county borrowed $67.3 Million for last year’s refunds, and the county’s debt for tax refund payments is now a staggering $1.13 Billion. We will take action to finally begin reforming the assessment system in Nassau County.

In a time when so many have lost their jobs, we must also focus our attention on retaining and creating jobs. The county is exploring many ways to attract new businesses and keep existing businesses here in Nassau.

Gonsalves & Mangano Reform Broken Assessment System

Alternate Deputy Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves recently joined with County Executive Ed Mangano to announce an overhaul to the property tax assessment system. Both Gonsalves and Mangano fulfilled promises to reform the previous system, which cost the County $100-250 million annually.

“The proposed change to the tax assessment system could save the County tens of millions of dollars,” said Gonsalves. “We cannot sit by and allow a broken and outdated system sap money away from the County and the taxpayers.”

The plan for the new tax assessment system freezes property assessments for four years. However, homeowners can still grieve their assessments yearly to take advantage of reductions and account for improvements. The new system will bring predictability and stability to household taxes, and allow the county to reduce its debt from household assessments.