Westchester County Health Officials Confirm First Human West Nile Infection This Season

YONKERS, NY — A Westchester man has been infected with a mosquito-borne illness, health officials have confirmed.

The first positive human case of West Nile Virus this year was confirmed in a Yonkers resident. The Westchester County Department of Health said the patient has recently traveled outside the county.

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West Nile Virus most often causes a mild or moderate flu-like illness, but can be more serious, especially for people age 65 and older, and those with underlying medical conditions.

The Westchester County Department of Health said staff will work with the resident to determine whether the exposure may have occurred during travel outside the county or closer to home.

In the meantime, however, health officials are urging the public to take some common sense preventative steps.

Homeowners are asked to walk around their property and remove any standing water to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. This includes checking flowerpot drip trays, kiddie pools, play equipment, and other items left outdoors.

Residents who notice large areas of standing water on public property should report them to the County Health Department at 914-813-5000.

Throughout the season, the County Health Department traps and tests mosquitoes to track the presence of viruses they carry. More ideas from the health department about how to reduce the mosquito population near your home can be found at here.