By:ROBERT REMLER
New York State had its first confirmed finding of West Nile virus for 2001 last month, according to State Health Commissioner Antonia C. Novello.
A crow collected in Westchester County became the first bird of the year to test positive for the virus. Human health risk from West Nile virus occurs when the amount of virus intensifies in a particular location. To prevent the growth of breeding grounds for infected mosquitoes, the State Health Department recommends residents follow these procedures:
- Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots and similar water-holding containers.
- Remove all discarded tires on your property. Used tires have become the most common mosquito breeding grounds, according to the Health Department.
- Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are kept outdoors.
- Make sure gutters drain properly, and clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall.
- Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use. - Change the water in birdbaths.
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs.
- Drain water from pool covers.
- Use landscaping to eliminate stagnant water that collects on your property.
- Clean up leaf litter and similar organic debris.
- To keep mosquitoes from getting inside the home, make sure all doors and windows have screens and that the screens are in good repair.
For more information about the New York State Department of Health and the West Nile virus visit www.health.state.ny.us.
SUBHED (B) Reduce risk of Lyme Disease
The National Arborist Association is recommending that Long Island residents take eight precautions to reduce the risk of Lyme Disease.
Lyme disease is transmitted by the bite of an infected tick, according to the Association. Ticks feed on blood, and infected ticks transmit the disease as they feed. Ticks prefer to live in dense woods, although they are also found where the woods meet lawns or fields. Generally, most suburban lawns are too hot and dry to sustain ticks. Ticks prefer the cool, moist woodlands where they have a better chance of finding an animal host, according to the Association.
Locally, ticks are most active from April to September. The recommended precautions are:
- Wear light-colored clothing.
- Avoid tall grass and areas with shrubs.
- Remove brush piles.
- Thin out low shrub vegetation in woods.
- Wear long pants tucked into socks.
- Widen trails through woods.
- Keep grass mowed.
- Wear a tick repellent.
For further information about Lyme Disease or ticks, visit the website for the National Arborist Association at www.natlarb.com.
Managing your blood pressure
Avoiding high blood pressure is one way to maintain a healthy heart and reduce the chance of a stroke.
The Medical Society of the State of New York recently reported that adults should aim to keep their blood pressure below 140/90. Reaching that level requires working with your doctor and keeping an active life style, according to the Medical Society.
The first number (140), called the systolic pressure, represents blood pressure when the heart contracts and pumps blood. The second number, called the diastolic pressure, represents blood pressure when your heart is at rest, in between beats or when blood pressure falls.
Doctors generally suggest to patients various methods to lower blood pressure. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, increases the risk of developing heart and kidney diseases as well as stroke.
Four recommendations to maintain a recommended level of blood pressure are:
(n) Maintain a healthy weight. Try to shed pounds if overweight.
(n) Be physically active.
(n) Choose foods low in fat and sodium.
(n) If drinking alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.
Notes and lectures
North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System is sponsoring a free arthritis update on Wednesday, June 20. The lecture is scheduled to take place at the Pratt Auditorium at the hospital's facility in Glen Cove. The event starts at 1:30 p.m. with free blood pressure examinations followed by the lecture at 2:15 p.m.
North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset is organizing a group for those who experience panic disorders. The format will include relaxation exercises and problem-skills training.
Participants will have an opportunity to learn from and to support each other. Sessions will meet on Thursday evenings at 9
p.m. beginning June 28. Fees are often partially reimbursed by insurance carriers, and may also be offered on a sliding scale fee basis. For more information call (516) 562-4927.
Winthrop-University Hospital continues its "Perspectives in Health" series with a free lecture on Solutions for a Snoring Partner. The program will be held on Wednesday, June 20 at Winthrop's Community Outreach Center, located at 101 Mineola Boulevard in Mineola. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the lecture at 7 p.m. Pre-registration is required. Call 1-888-53-WOME- for information.
The Stuttering Foundation of America wishes to make South Shore residents aware of their website. Information on the latest research on stuttering and a vast list of speech pathologists specializing in the speech disorder can be found at www.stutteringhelp.org.
The Nassau County Department of Health continues to monitor the recent Shigellosis outbreak at Shish-Kebab restaurants on the North Shore and in Rockville Centre. Those who ate food at any of these restaurants between Wednesday, May 23, and Wednesday, May 30, can call the Health Department at (516) 571-2649 for updated information.
The Arthritis Foundation of Long Island will sponsor its 10th Annual Golf Classic on Monday, July 16. The outing is at the Huntington Country Club. Reservations and sponsorships are available. For more information call (631) 427-8272.
The American Cancer Society is sponsoring its 29th annual Babe Zaharias Memorial Golf Tournament starting this month. To learn about clubs hosting the event locally call 1-800-ACS-2345.
The Mental Health Association of Nassau County, Inc. seeks volunteers to participate in their Compeer program, which helps those suffering from mental illness. For more information call (516) 489-2322, or visit their website at www.mnhanc.org.
The Long Island Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will host their annual "Gelatin Jump" on Friday, July 20. The event features the chance to take the plunge and slide into 1,500 gallons of Jell-O. The fun is scheduled for Friday, July 20 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Huntington Hilton in Melville. Each jumper is asked to raise a minimum of $200. For further information call (631) 752-8500 or visit www.leukemia-lymphoma.org.
The American Red Cross in Nassau County urges parents to teach children about disaster preparedness. The Red Cross encourages households to create a family disaster plan. Four steps to follow include
Learn what hazards exist in your community and how to prepare for each.
Discuss what you would do, as a group, in each situation.
Take steps to prepare to prepare your family by posting emergency telephone numbers, selecting an out-of-state family contact,
(b) assembling disaster supply kits and installing smoke detectors throughout your home.
Practice your family Disaster Plan so that everyone will remember what to do when a disaster does occur and where to meet in case of emergency. To learn more, visit www.NassauRedCross.org.
Compiled by Robert Remler, Health Editor. Send comments to Healtheditor@liherald.com or Rremler@AOL.Com.
