Mosquito Tests Positive for West Nile Virus in Neighboring Town

A mosquito sample from South Huntington has tested positive for West Nile virus, Suffolk County Health Services (SCDHS) Commissioner James L. Tomarken announced Friday.

The mosquito sample, collected on June 18, was the first sample to test positive this season, SCDHS reports.

West Nile virus can be transmitted to humans from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Severe symptoms of the virus include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.

No humans or horses have tested positive for the virus in Suffolk County in 2015, according to SCDHS.

“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,” Tomarken said in a statement.

Residents are urged to get rid of stagnant water surrounding their homes by:

• Disposing of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers.
• Removing all discarded tires on the property.
• Making sure roof gutters drain properly, and clean clogged gutters.
• Turning over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
• Changing the water in birdbaths.
• Cleaning vegetation and debris from the edges of ponds and keeping shrubs and grass trimmed.
• Cleaning and chlorinating swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs.
• Draining water from pool covers.

People over the age and 50 and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk. SCDHS advises these people to take the following precautions to avoid being bitten:

• Minimize time outdoors between dusk and dawn.
• Wear shoes and socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are more active.
• Use mosquito repellent when outdoors.
• Make sure mosquitoes cannot get in the house.

Dead birds may indicate the presence of West Nile virus in the area. To report a dead bird, take a picture and call the West Nile virus hotline in Suffolk County at 631-787-2200 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

To report mosquito issues or stagnant pools of water, call the Department of Public Works’ Vector Control Division at 631-852-4270.

For medical questions related to West Nile virus, call 631-854-0333.

Visit the Department of Health Services website for more information on the virus.