Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Community Update

Morning Selby,                                           Community Update

I know what a Depressing Subject Line!

1.       Sewer Line Breakage (Selby #1 Pump Station)
                Anyone that has gone by Selby Blvd and 7th will notice that the problem has yet to be fixed.
The county found the necessary valves yesterday to shut off flow to the pipe, but those valves were also inoperable.
The only way to shut off the pressure will be to shut down the sewer system from Mayo up to here. This can only be done at night during the slowest demand on the system
Their Plan is to shut down the system tonight beginning at 10pm and the crew plans to be able to implement the fix starting around 12am. 
Road closure on Selby Blvd from 214 to 7th Ave will begin around 10pm as before and the county expects to be completed and road re-opened by morning. 
If you live near the location of the sewer main break (Selby Blvd & 7th Ave),  it will be a noisy evening as the vacuum truck will be needed.

2.     West Nile Virus
A case of West Nile Virus has been reported within the Selby Community and other nearby communities.
For that reason the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) was at our Beach & Park and throughout Selby Inspecting, taking water samples and testing.
Also, the MDA has now begun to spray the entire community even though you have a Property Exemption in place.

West Nile virus (WNV) is a disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes. A number of viruses transmitted by mosquitoes are monitored by public health agencies in the United States.
These include Eastern Equine Encephalitis, St. Louis Encephalitis, Western Equine Encephalitis, and Lacrosse Encephalitis viruses.
West Nile virus, which usually occurs in birds, was first identified in this country in the  summer of 1999.  A mosquito can pick up the virus when it feeds on an infected bird's blood.
When the mosquito bites a person or animal, the virus is transmitted to the victim.
A mosquito that carries WNV also can infect birds, horses, and possibly other animals.
As far as health authorities know at this time, a person cannot get WNV infection directly from birds, horses, or another person.
For most people who have been exposed to it, WNV causes no symptoms at all.
In some people, WNV can cause a very mild infection, including fever, muscle aches, rash, swollen lymph nodes, and a "sick" feeling.
This illness starts about 5- l5 days after the mosquito bite, lasts a few days, and then goes away on its own.
In a very small fraction of people exposed to WNV, it can cause an inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) or the tissues that surround the brain (meningitis).  
Encephalitis and meningitis due to WNV can cause death.

How to Avoid Mosquito Bites
·         Avoid outdoor activities from dusk to dawn.
·         Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants outdoors.
·         Use insect repellents when outdoors. (Follow container directions).
·         Use fine-mesh screen on windows and doors.
·         Avoid mosquito-infested areas such as marshes and wetlands.

Getting Rid of Mosquitoes
·         Flush birdbaths and containers under potted plants twice a week.
·         Properly dispose of used tires.
·         Clean roof gutters and downspouts.
·         Turn over wading pools, wheelbarrows, canoes, pails, trash can lids and any other object that holds water, including items stored under decks and porches.
·         Repair dripping outdoor water faucets.
·         Drain water from tarps and grill covers.

What the Maryland Department of Agriculture is doing to control mosquitoes
The Maryland Department of Agriculture Mosquito Control Program provides relief from mosquito annoyance
and protection from mosquito-borne diseases using integrated pest management principles. 
Participation in the program is voluntary and requires county/city support.
For more information, visit the department's web site at:      http://www.mda.state.md.us.


For more information
contact:
Maryland Department of Agriculture
Mosquito Control Section
410-841-5870 (Annapolis)
1-817-425-6485 (Baltimore City and County)
410-543-6626 (Eastern Shore)
301-373-4263 (Southern Maryland)
301-921-8357 (Suburban and Western Maryland)