WNVIRUS.COM
[MEDIAMIXER]-WEST NILE VIRUS, 2000- UPDATES-Press Release
WWW.WNVIRUS.COM
TWO ADDITIONAL NEW YORKERS HOSPITALIZED WITH WEST NILE VIRUS, AND 1 FATALITY THUS FAR IN 2002. SPREAD FROM BRONX ZOO, NY AND 38 STATES NOW BATTLING WEST NILE VIRUS.
WNVIRUS.COM ANNOUNCES IT'S CONTINUED 2002 COMPREHENSIVE WEST NILE VIRUS SURVEILLANCE, PREVENTION AND CONTROL PLAN WITH HEAVY EMPHASIS ON INTERACTIVE MULTIMEDIA VIA THE WEB, LIVE ONSITE/ONLINE PERFORMANCE SERIES,AND LIVE LARVAL SURVEILLANCE INTERNET CAMERA. WNVIRUS.COM PROJECT BEGAN IN 2000 DUE TO OUR FEAR THAT THIS VIRUS WOULD SPREAD QUICKLY THROUGH NORTH AMERICA, WHICH IT HAS, TO 38 STATES.
WNVIRUS.COM ADDS NEW AUDIO DESCRIPTIONS OF MOSQUITO CONTROL SPRAYING CHEMICALS, AND NEW UPDATED AMERICAN [WNV] DISPERSION MAPS. ALSO INTERACT WITH ORIGINAL AUDIO AND VIDEO OF PAST SITE-SPECIFIC PERFORMANCES AND INSTALLATIONS IN NYC AREA.
Live Larval Surveillance via the interent[live larvae specimen cams] Underway; Citywide site-specific performance series Underway; Public is Asked to Report Dead Birds, and to Reduce Mosquito Breeding Sites Via Forms Provided on WNVIRUS.COM Underway; Interactive Creative Education Campaign - "WNVIRUS.COM" - Launched
WNVIRUS.COM today unveiled "the networks," revamped, comprehensive West Nile virus (WNV) prevention and control plan for 2002. The plan is preventive in orientation and emphasizes interactive multimedia to raise awareness; reducing breeding sites; surveillance of mosquitoes[live larvae cam], birds, mammals and humans; and public education through site-specific performance events, new media, and environments.
DOHMH Commissioner Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH, said, "In the City's four years experience with West Nile virus (WNV), the last week of August has tended to be the time when most new infections occur. However, with warmer temperatures expected, we are not out of the woods yet. All New Yorkers - especially those over the age of 50 - should continue to take precautions against mosquitoes, including wearing long sleeves, ensuring screens around the home are tight fitting and not torn, and consider the use of insect repellent when outdoors."
"In less than two years, New York City has developed a state-of-the-art program to protect the City from West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases," but this does little to soothe the concerns of wnvirus.com. This problem is being viewed locally as a NY state issue, where in reality,the issues are global.What if vector-borne viruses were to "migrate" to Florida, and/or other wetland communities in more subtropical climate regions in the United States,with extremely long breeding seasons where it would be virtually impossible to control the disease? Well it has. "Since the first appearance of West Nile virus here in 1999, WNVIRUS.COM has done considerable research to effectively monitor, control, and disseminate information about the disease,through public and online live performances,extreme multimedia, and art installations/environments," yet the general public knows so very little about the lifecycles of vectors, transmission of the disease,and the signs of infection. This is why we believe the interactive rich-media web site will be heavily viewed and extremly successful in spreading information of the disease to those whom might not otherwise be searching for it, and particularily emphasizing the importance of the impacts of such vector-borne viruses on a global scale. And more importantly blurring the boundaries between all media by implementing a unique fusion of the arts with 'real and relevant issues/content' created to utilize internet delivery technologies.
The various components of the WNVIRUS.COM plan are as follows:
Prevention of Mosquito Breeding
//[new] FORMS FOR REPORTING STANDING WATER[MOSQUITO BREEDING SITES],AND DEAD BIRD REPORT FORMS TO NOTIFY THE CDC[centers for disease control] OF POTENTIAL PROBLEMS,HAVE BEEN ADDED TO WNVIRUS.COM//
WNVIRUS.COM will collaborate with elected officials, other agencies and urban communities to eliminate standing water in empty lots, tire piles and other containers. This will be augmented by performing audio/visual performances in potential breeding sites across the city. A public information campaign will urge residents to reduce breeding sites around homes and businesses, and to report major potential mosquito breeding sites. Additionally, to create original artworks, and venues to exhibit original works[all mediums], that deal with these type of local issues.
The identification of an infected bird or mosquito, or an increase in the density of dead bird sightings, will trigger a "rapid response." This will include intensively reducing larval habitats, and increasing larval control to contain amplification of the virus before it impacts human health.WNVIRUS.com the portal will function as a launch pad to all relative vital breaking news stories surrounding the event.
Mosquito Surveillance
WNVIRUS will monitor mosquitoes citywide by collecting mosquito larvae and adult mosquitoes to determine their distribution, density and type. In 2001, WNV will test adult mosquitoes collected in New York City for West Nile and related viruses in its own laboratories. With testing taking place locally in 2001, the time it will take to get results should be significantly reduced, allowing for more rapid public notification and mosquito breeding reduction activities. Additionally, the public can take part in these laboratory experiments by viewing the specimens and procedures through the live larvae interent camera.
WNV will inspect known mosquito breeding sites within our neighborhoods weekly to determine the presence of mosquito larvae.
Bird and Mammal Surveillance.
Animals will be monitored for infection and illness with a focus primarily on dead birds, our rooftop pigeon coup access will be instrumental in the collection of infected birds.. WNV also will monitor disease among pigeons,and pigeon flyers throughout NY will be asked to report animals with suspected neurological illnesses to WNV. Additionally,
WNV will ask the public to report the number, location, and types of dead birds via telephone (1-877-WNV-4NYC) or via WNVIRUS.COM Dead bird reports will be used as markers for possible West Nile activity.
Birds which have died recently, will be retrieved if DOH can confirm the location of the bird with the reporting party and can gain access for retrieval. The public will be advised to safely discard birds that are not being retrieved by the City. A sample of birds, especially crows and bluejays, that have died within the 24 hours before reporting, will be submitted for testing in accordance with NYSDEC and NYSDOH criteria.
Public Education and Community Outreach
The WNV will continue its multi-media WNVIRUS.COM "emergenceNYC" public education campaign,refering to the emergence of the adult mosquito from his previous larval confines.. This year, the campaign will include borough specific calls to action (e.g., "emerge" Staten Island, the Bronx, etc). Campaign components will include stickers with web adress to be placed in buses, subways, billboards and sanitation trucks as well as public education materials (in multiple languages) to be distributed citywide; and radio and television public service announcements. Brochures and fact sheets in several languages will be distributed to community-based organizations, community boards, elected officials, schools, and many other organizations citywide. The automated West Nile Virus information Line (1-917-781-3929) will be regularly updated.
In the event of significant human disease risk that may require the application of pesticides to control adult mosquitoes, accurate and timely information about mosquito control activities will be provided. WNVIRUS.COM will provide information about application scheduling, the type of pesticides being used and how to reduce exposure. Additionally,the public will be informed about what to do in the event of adverse reactions to pesticides.
An artist led "WNVIRUS PERFORMANCE PROJECT," will travel to communities to disseminate information on West Nile virus and related activities.
Adult Mosquito Control
WNV will implement a phased response to surveillance findings that will expand prevention and control activities in relation to the threat of an outbreak of human disease. If surveillance indicators suggest that the level of West Nile viral activity poses a significant threat to human health, the plan involves considering the use of pesticides that kill adult mosquiitoes. Because green areas play a role in the amplification of the virus, they may be priority for spraying in high risk areas.
2001 WNVIRUS.COM Comprehensive Arthropod Surveillance and Control Plan
Appendix: Guidelines for a Phased Response to West Nile Virus Surveillance
Findings
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