Aug 7, 2008 4:34 pm US/Pacific
Foreclosure Crisis To Blame For West Nile Fears
Pools Abandoned On Long Island Properties Turning Into Breeding Ground For Virus-Carrying Mosquitoes
NORTH LINDENHURST, N.Y. (CBS) ―
Foreclosure properties can become a target for vandalism. There's also concern that neglected swimming pools on a growing number of those properties are breeding ground for mosquitoes – carrying the West Nile virus.
CBS station WCBS-TV in New York City tried to get to the bottom of what's being done to curb the problem.
The foreclosure crisis is getting worse and Long Island may be adding a new wrinkle in the fight against West Nile virus.
"This is a breeding ground for disease," said Suffolk County legislator Wayne Horsley as he examined an algae-infested pool. "We are facing this in neighborhood after neighborhood where people, our children, are going to get sick."
Horsley blames the banks for abandoned homes and standing water in backyard swimming pools that health officials say have become a potent breeding ground for mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus.
"We are concerned about pools that have been abandoned or are not being utilized," Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. Hank Chaudhry said.
"In a pool you normally have chlorine, which keeps things in check, but if it has been abandoned or not been used …"
That's when mosquito larvae thrive. Epidemiologists have also tracked virulent strains and new positive samples of larvae from both Nassau and Suffolk. They have been spraying along both north and south shores. Residents blame the financial climate, homes seized by banks or homeowners unable to pay for upkeep, for this troubling situation.
Tina Scarangella of North Lindenhurst said there are three foreclosed homes on her block alone.
Benjamin Green was shown a neighbor's pool and remembered when it was a sight for sore eyes.
"Oh the pool was beautiful," Green said. "You could look at it and it was crystal clear."
One insect expert said Long Island resident need to be especially vigilant in August.
"This is the time of the year where we see the peak of virus activity, over the next three weeks, so it's very important that people pay attention," said Dominick Ninivaggi of Vector Control."
And this season for the first time the very aggressive virus transmitting Asian tiger mosquito has been tracked to the Babylon area in a neighborhood near Belmont Lake State Park.
Suffolk officials are urging anyone who spots abandoned or foreclosed properties with swimming pools to call the county so the pools can be covered or emptied.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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