Horse Tests Positive for West Nile Virus in Manorville

MANORVILLE, — A horse has tested positive for West Nile Virus in Manorville, according to Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. James L. Tomarken.

Tomarken announced Wednesday that seven mosquito samples, all Culex pipiens-restuans, collected between August 29 and September 4, have also tested positive for West Nile virus.

One sample each was collected from Rocky Point, Huntington, Holtsville, Setauket, Dix Hills, Brentwood, and Commack, he said.

According to Tomarken, while a horse testing positive for West Nile doesn’t indicate an increased human risk for the virus, Suffolk County is conducting surveillance in the area to evaluate the risks.

Horse owners are reminded to vaccinate their horses for West Nile virus and the Eastern Equine Encephalitis, or EEE, virus, Tomarken said.

To date this year, 132 mosquito samples, 15 birds and now, one horse have tested positive for West Nile virus, a release said.

No humans have tested positive for the virus in Suffolk County this year, Suffolk County health officials said.

No mosquito samples have tested positive for Zika virus in Suffolk County, county officials added.

Residents are advised to continue to take precautions, as surveillance indicates that the both Culex pipiens-restuans and Asian Tiger mosquitoes, or Aedes albopictus, are presently active in Suffolk County.

Asian Tiger mosquitoes are small mosquitoes with black and white stripes that are known to bite aggressively near feet and ankles during the day, a release said.

“We recommend that residents take three actions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes,” Tomarken said.

Those include:

- Eliminating stagnant water where mosquitoes breed by dumping the water and scrubbing the containers weekly to remove the eggs

- Using mosquito repellent with EPA approved labeling on the product and following instructions

- Considering using dunks, treating yards with barrier type sprays containing permethrin as the active ingredient, or hiring licensed pesticide applicators

If none of those suggestions help, residents can contact the Department of Public Works’ Vector Control Division to request a vector control crew to check the area.

“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,” said Tom Iwanejko, chief of vector control. “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."

To reduce the mosquito population, residents should remove all discarded tires on the property, dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar, water-holding containers, make sure roof gutters drain properly, and clean clogged gutters.

In addition, residents should turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use, change the water in birdbaths and scrub the containers, clean vegetation and debris from the edges of ponds and keep shrubs and grass trimmed, clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs, drain water from pool covers and scrub the covers, and make sure all windows and doors have screens, and that all screens are in good repair.

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 additional information on mosquitoes and mosquito-borne illnesses,visit the Department of Health Services’ website by clicking here.

Patch file photo.