NEW YORK, Sept. 20 (UPI) -- U.S. states on the East Coast hit by the heavy rains of Hurricane Irene are warning residents to be mindful that flooded areas increase West Nile virus risk.
Dr. Nirav R. Shah, commissioner of health of New York state, urged residents to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites -- staying indoors during dawn and dusk -- because the state has identified more than 400 mosquito pools that tested positive for West Nile Virus.