BROOKHAVEN TOWN, NY — Six mosquito samples out of 25 taken from across Suffolk County tested positive for West Nile Virus, the Suffolk County Department of Health Services said Thursday.
The Culex pipiens-restuans samples included one each from North Patchogue, Port Jefferson Station, Farmingville, and Mount Sinai, as well as two from Rocky Point.
Other samples were taken from Cold Spring Harbor, Northport, Greenlawn, Dix Hills, Copiague, Lindenhurst, West Babylon, Smithtown, Bay Shore, West Islip, Sayville, and Aquebogue.
To date this season, 54 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 found on Aug. 5 in Nesconset tested positive for West Nile Virus.
No humans have tested positive for West Nile Virus this year.
The 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.
Everyone is urged to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Individuals 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 the virus.
To report a dead bird on your property, contact the 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 Division of Vector Control at 631-852-4270.
For more information, visit Mosquitoes.
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