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September is the beginning of the autumn season when people spend a lot of time outdoors. There's that yard project you've been meaning to do all summer. Or, perhaps you head to Oswego, Mexico, Pulaski, or Albion for the autumn salmon fishing season. Many people travel to Redfield, Orwell, Boylston, or Happy Valley for some hunting or hiking.

Enjoying the outdoors in Oswego County is one of the best things about living or visiting here. To be safe in the outdoors requires knowing how protect yourself from the West Nile and rabies viruses. Simple precautions can help ensure that you and your family's outdoor activities remain happy and fun.

West Nile virus is carried by mosquitoes and can cause serious illness. It is fatal in rare cases. People over age 50 and people with weakened immune systems are the most susceptible to the disease. Most people infected with West Nile don't experience symptoms, but symptoms of a severe case include a rapid high fever with headache and body aches.

The Oswego County Health Department recommends people protect themselves from mosquito bites by limiting outside activities at dawn and dusk and in areas where you would expect to find mosquitoes. Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and shirts with long sleeves if you are outside in an area where mosquitoes are active. Use insect repellents according to the directions on the package. Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so eliminate standing water around your yard by disposing of containers and old tires, drilling holes in recycling containers, cleaning roof gutters, turning over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows, changing water in birdbaths twice a week, and draining pool covers.

As part of a state-wide monitoring program, the county health department collects dead crows and submits them to the state health department for testing. The American crow is very susceptible to the West Nile virus. Two weeks ago, a dead crow tested positive for West Nile virus in the village of Pulaski.

Rabies is carried by mammals. Raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes are the primary carriers and can spread the disease to pets and humans through saliva in bites or scratches. A person or pet that comes in contact with a sick or suspicious-acting animal should be reported to the county health department as soon as possible. A bite or scratch on the skin should be washed immediately with soap and water.

To help prevent rabies infections, vaccinate your dogs, cats and ferrets; bat-proof homes and cabins by plugging small holes; don't feed, touch or adopt wild or stray animals; tightly cap garbage cans, so animals won't be attracted to your home; and feed pets indoors.

The county health department conducts several rabies vaccination clinics throughout the summer. The next clinics are Wednesday, Sept. 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the County Department of Public Works garage, County Route 2A, Pulaski; and Wednesday, Nov. 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the County highway garage, Dill Pickle Alley, Parish. State laws requires all dogs, cats and pet ferrets to have current rabies shots.

The county health department is also participating in an international effort to eradicate rabies in Northern New York. Over 32,000 bait packages containing rabies vaccine will be distributed by hand and dropped by aircraft in Redfield, Orwell, Boylston, Sandy Creek, Richland and Albion north of the Salmon River. Raccoons and other wildlife become vaccinated against rabies when they eat the bait.

The diligent efforts of the county health department and other state and regional agencies have been successful in monitoring West Nile virus and reducing the spread of rabies. However, the best protection from these diseases remains personal responsibility. Using common sense and taking a few simple precautions allows you to enjoy the outdoors. The rural areas and wilderness forests and streams of Oswego County are just too beautiful, fun, and rewarding to stay inside this fall.

For more information on West Nile virus and rabies, contact the Oswego County Health Department, weekdays, phone 349-3564 or 1-800-596-3200, ext. 3564. For information about outdoor recreational opportunities, contact the Department of Promotion and Tourism, weekdays, phone 349-8322, or 1-800-596-3200, ext. 8322; or go online at www.oswegocounty.com.