Four Mosquito
Samples Test Positive for West Nile Virus
Residents
urged to eliminate stagnant water near homes
Suffolk County Health Services Commissioner
Dr. James L. Tomarken announced today that four more mosquito samples have
tested positive for West Nile virus. The samples, Culex pipiens-restuans, were collected on July 8, 2015 from Lindenhurst
(2), Nesconset (1), and East Northport (1). To date this year, seven mosquito
samples have tested positive, the first was collected in South Huntington on
June 18, 2015 the second was collected on June 23, 2015 in Selden, and the
third was collected on June 30, 2015 in West Babylon.
West Nile virus, first detected in birds and mosquito samples in Suffolk County in 1999 and again
each year thereafter, is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected
mosquito. No humans, horses or birds have tested positive for West Nile virus
in Suffolk this year.
“The confirmation of West Nile
virus in mosquito samples or birds indicates the presence of West Nile virus in
the area,” said Dr. Tomarken. “While there is no cause for alarm, we urge
residents to cooperate with us in our efforts to reduce the exposure to the
virus, which can be debilitating to humans.”
To reduce the mosquito
population around homes, residents should try to eliminate stagnant water where
mosquitoes breed:
According to Dr. Tomarken, most
people infected with West Nile virus will experience mild or no symptoms, but
some can develop severe symptoms including high fever, headache, neck
stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness,
vision loss, numbness and paralysis. The symptoms may last several weeks, and
neurological effects may be permanent. Individuals, especially those 50 years
of age or older, or those with compromised immune systems, who are most at
risk, are urged to take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
Follow us
suffolkcountyny.gov
Facebook.com/SuffolkCountyHealthServices
Twitter.com/SuffolkCoHealth