Mosquito Samples in Commack Test Positive For West Nile Virus

The Suffolk County Department of Health recently announced that a total of 19 mosquito samples collected last week tested positive for West Nile virus.

Between August 16 and August 18, two samples were collected in Commack.

In addition, three samples were collected in Holtsville, two samples were collected in Smithtown and Huntington Station and one sample was collected in Melville, Islip, Oakdale, East Hampton, Stony Brook, Huntington, Northport, North Patchogue, Yaphank and Rocky Point.

So far this year, 110 mosquito samples and 14 birds have tested positive for West Nile virus. No humans or horses have tested positive for the virus in Suffolk County this year. No mosquito samples have tested positive for Zika virus in Suffolk County.

The Health Department foudn that the Asian Tiger Mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus), which are small mosquitoes with black and white stripes, are presently active in Suffolk County. Those mosquitoes are tend to bite your feet and ankles during the day.

Health Commissioner Dr. James L. Tomarken advises residents to take these steps if they are bitten:

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

Residents may also contact the Department of Public Works’ Vector Control Division at 631-852-4270 or by clicking here to request a vector control crew to check the area.

Dead birds found on area properties may indicate the presence of West Nile virus in the area. To report dead birds, call the West Nile virus hotline in Suffolk County at 631-787-2200 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Residents are encouraged to take a photograph of any bird in question.

For more information on mosquitoes and mosquito-borne illnesses, visit the Department of Health Services’ website here.