Days After 1st Human Case Of West Nile Virus, 6 Mosquito Samples Test Positive In Brookhaven: Officials

FARMINGVILLE, NY — Six mosquito samples in Brookhaven Town tested positive for the West Nile Virus on Friday, the Suffolk County Department of Health Services said.

One each of the Culex pipiens-restuans samples that tested positive was found in Setauket, Farmingville, Mount Sinai, Rocky Point, North Patchogue, and Mastic Beach.

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Other locations where the samples tested positive include, Cold Spring Harbor, Northport, Greenlawn, Dix Hills, Melville, Bay Shore, West Islip, Islip, Riverhead, Aquebogue, Southold, Bridgehampton, Lindenhurst, Smithtown, Sayville, Setauket.

Additionally, a third mosquito sample in Bay Shore was positive for Culex salinarius and a second sample in Rocky Point was positive for Aedes vexans.

The news comes days after officials announced that an adult in the town was the first human case of West Nile Virus.

To date this season, 85 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.

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 Department
of Public Works Division of Vector Control at 631-852-4270.

For more information, visit Mosquitoes.