Commissioner James Tomarken announced today that two mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile virus: one collected at Gardiner County Park in Bay Shore (1) on August 16^th, the other collected at Byron Lake Park in Oakdale (1) on August 15^th.  Both samples were Culex pipiens-restuans.

Weather permitting, the Suffolk County Department of Public Works will treat sections of the following communities as part of its ongoing annual effort to control the mosquito population.

The beach closure issued for Shirley Beach has been lifted, as results of recent samples collected show the water quality to be within acceptable levels.

The Suffolk County Department of Public Works’ Division of Vector Control plans to treat parts of the following salt marshes by helicopter to control mosquito larvae.  Should weather conditions prevent completion of the work, it will be continued on the next suitable day.

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services has closed Shirley Beach in Shirley to bathing due to the finding of bacterial levels in excess of acceptable criteria.