Mosquito Sample in Commack Tests Positive For West Nile Virus

The Suffolk County Department of Health announced that seven mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile virus, including one in Commack.

The other positive samples, all collected between August 29 and September 4, were found in Rocky Point, Huntington, Holtsville, Setauket, Dix Hills and Brentwood.

In addition, a horse from Manorville also tested positive for the virus.

According to the Department of Health, the finding doesn’t indicate an increased human risk for West Nile virus and the county is conducting surveillance in the area to evaluate the risks.

So far this year, a total of 132 mosquito samples, 15 birds and one horse have tested positive for West Nile virus. No humans have tested positive for the virus in Suffolk County.

No mosquito samples have tested positive for Zika virus in Suffolk County.

Residents are advised to continue to take precautions.

“Adult spraying for Asian Tiger mosquitoes isn’t very effective as it reduces their numbers for only a few days before new mosquitoes emerge from larvae that has been thriving in containers,” Tom Iwanejko, chief of vector control said. “This is why it is so important to dump the water on a regular weekly basis and scrub any eggs on the inside of the container!

Health Commissioner Dr. James L. Tomarken recommends residents:

• Eliminate stagnant water where mosquitoes breed by dumping the water and scrubbing the containers weekly to remove the eggs;
• Use mosquito repellent with EPA approved labeling on the product and follow instructions;
• Consider using dunks, treating yards with barrier type sprays containing permethrin as the active ingredient, or hiring licensed pesticide applicators.

For more information, visit: http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov...

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