6 Of 16 Mosquito Samples Across Suffolk Test Positive For West Nile In Brookhaven Town: Officials

BROOKHAVEN TOWN, NY — The Suffolk County Department of Health Services has announced that six of 16 additional mosquito samples across Suffolk tested positive in Brookhaven Town for the West Nile Virus, officials said Friday.

Thirteen mosquito samples, Culex pipiens-restuans, were collected between Aug. 25 and Aug. 27, including one each in Setauket, Holbrook, Farmingville, and Rocky Point.

Other locations include Dix Hills, Melville, West Islip, Lindenhurst, West Babylon, Copiague, and Northport. Two mosquito samples, Culex salinarius, were collected on Aug. 25 in Fire Island Pines and Watch Hill on Fire Island.

A sample from Bay Shore also tested positive.

To date this season, 120 mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile virus, and three mosquito samples have tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus.

Previously, two dead crows found on June 24 in Ronkonkoma and one deceased Blue Jay found on Aug. 5 in Nesconset tested positive for West Nile Virus.

One adult resident, who lives in the town of Brookhaven, tested positive for the virus.

West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. Most infected people will experience mild or no symptoms. Some can develop mild to severe symptoms including headache, neck stiffness, vision loss, high fever, confusion, muscle weakness, paralysis, and potentially death.

Residents are urged to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. People 50 and older, as well as those with compromised immune systems, are urged to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Dead birds could indicate the presence of West Nile Virus. To report one bird on your property, contact the Suffolk County Department of Health Services Bureau of Public Health Protection at 631-852-5999 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Residents are encouraged to submit a photo of the bird.

To report mosquito problems, contact the Department of Public Works Division of Vector Control at 631-852-4270.

For more information, visit Mosquitoes.