5 More Mosquito Samples In Suffolk Tested Positive For West Nile

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY - Five more mosquito samples in Suffolk County tested positive for West Nile virus, the New York State Department of Health announced on Thursday.

The samples, all Culex pipiens-restuans, were collected on September 10 and September 11 from Greenlawn, West Islip, Jamesport, and two in Farmingville.

No new mosquito samples have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) at this time.

To date this season, the county has reported 73 mosquito samples that have tested positive for West Nile virus and six that have tested positive for EEE.

Earlier this week, Suffolk County reported two human cases of West Nile virus.

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. West Nile virus may cause a range of symptoms, from mild to severe.

Symptoms may include fever, headache, vomiting, muscle aches, joint pain, and fatigue. There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus. Patients are treated with supportive therapy as needed.

"We don’t want anyone to become ill because of a mosquito bite, so we are urging residents to do what they can to reduce their exposure to the virus, which can be debilitating to humans," Commissioner of Health Services Dr. James Tomarken said.

Individuals, especially those aged 50 or over, or those with compromised immune systems, are urged to take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Residents are advised to use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents during this season.

When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

In addition, avoid going outside from dusk to dawn when most mosquitoes are active, wear long sleeves and long pants when night-time activity is unavoidable, eliminate standing water from flowerpots, clogged gutters, recycle bins, birdbaths, toys, and swimming pool and hot tub covers.

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

For further information on mosquito-borne illnesses, visit the Department of Health Services’ website.