Oneida County Health officials met with an aerial application company this morning to develop a plan to spray insecticides within a 2-mile radius of where a dead crow tested positive for the West Nile Virus.

Health officials, who were notified Wednesday from the State Health Department about the infected bird near Luke and Glass Factory Roads in the Town of Marcy, are now working with Duflo Spray-Chemical, Inc., specialist in mosquito, black fly and forest insect control.

"I am pleased to have the expertise of an experienced insecticide applicator and entomologist such as Duflo Spray-Chemical, Inc. on our team," Kramer said. "We are confident that with their experience, assistance from the State Health Department, continued support from Oneida County government and the knowledge of our department about our area, that we will ensure public safety throughout the process."

Oneida County Executive Ralph J. Eannace Jr. said "Oneida County is not alone in its battle against the West Nile Virus, but we are dedicated to moving safely, quickly and effectively to decrease danger to any of our residents and to keeping them well informed." This year the West Nile Virus has been found in 202 birds in 23 counties including four in Upstate New York.

State Health officials consider the insecticide, Anvil, non-toxic and effective. Information concerning the West Nile Virus and Anvil is available from the New York State Health Department is available on the Oneida County Web site www.oneidacounty.org

Oneida County Health officials and the applicator are in the process of:

• Preparing flight and safety plans, including the distribution of information about the insecticide, Anvil, to area fire and police departments, certification with FAA and identifying possible flight obstructions and open water.

• Identifying the exact geographic location for the proposed spraying.

• Preparing notification material for residents in the affected area about the spraying including tentative spraying dates and times - weather permitting - safety precautions and about the insecticide Anvil to be distributed by Monday, August 21. That information will also be available on the Oneida County Web site www.oneidacounty.org

The Oneida County Health Department continues to urge residents to take precautions to avoid mosquitoes by eliminating standing water sites around homes, fixing screen doors and the use of mosquito repellant.

The Oneida County Health Department will continue to release information as it develops.