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Legislators set to discuss increase in ticks, mosquitos and fleas

Rockland County Legislator Harriet Cornell will hold a meeting of the Environmental Committee to discuss the increase in populations of ticks and other insects and the ways people can protect themselves from the diseases insects such as ticks, mosquitos and fleas spread.

The meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30, in the Legislature’s Chambers in the Allison-Parris County Office Building, 11 New Hempstead Road in New City.

Legislator Cornell, who chairs the Environmental Committee, notes that, according to published reports, tick populations have been expanding greatly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 300,000 Americans get Lyme disease annually.

The meeting will explore the environmental issues that are causing an increase in ticks, mosquitos, and fleas, with their corresponding diseases. Environmentally-friendly ways for residents to protect themselves will also be discussed.

Legislator Cornell has invited Dr. Maria Mosquera, MD, MPh, FAAP, the Medical Director for the Rockland County Department of Health, to present. She has confirmed her participation.

Legislator Cornell has also invited Dr. Richard S. Ostfeld, the Disease Ecologist in charge of the Tick Project, based at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Dutchess County. The work that he and other scientists are doing is testing whether environmental interventions can prevent tick-borne diseases in our communities.

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