SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Mosquitoes collected in several Suffolk County communities, including Cold Spring Harbor, West Babylon, Lindenhurst, Bay Shore, Bohemia and Sayville, have tested positive for West Nile virus, health officials announced.
The Suffolk County Department of Health Services said 19 additional mosquito samples tested positive for the virus. The Culex pipiens-restuans mosquitoes were collected Aug. 18 and Aug. 19.
Among the new positive samples were two collected in West Babylon, two in Lindenhurst and one each in Cold Spring Harbor, Bay Shore, Bohemia and Sayville.
Other positive samples were collected in Fire Island Pines, where three samples tested positive; Watch Hill on Fire Island, where two tested positive; Aquebogue, where two tested positive; and Mastic Beach, Mount Sinai, Rocky Point and Setauket, where one sample from each community tested positive.
So far this season, 104 mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile virus in Suffolk County, according to health officials. Three mosquito samples have also tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus.
Three dead crows have previously tested positive for West Nile virus — two found June 24 in Ronkonkoma and one found Aug. 5 in Nesconset.
One adult Brookhaven Town resident has also tested positive for West Nile virus this season, officials said.
West Nile virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people who become infected experience mild or no symptoms, according to health officials.
More serious symptoms can include headache, neck stiffness, vision loss, high fever, confusion, muscle weakness and paralysis. In some cases, the virus can be fatal.
Officials are urging residents to take precautions against mosquito bites, particularly people 50 and older and those with compromised immune systems.
Dead birds can also be an indication that West Nile virus is present in an area. Residents can report a dead bird on their property to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services Bureau of Public Health Protection at 631-852-5999 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Officials encourage residents to submit a photo of the bird.
Mosquito problems can be reported to the Suffolk County Department of Public Works Division of Vector Control at 631-852-4270.
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