8 Mosquito Samples From Brookhaven Town Test Positive For West Nile Virus: Officials

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Nine mosquito samples taken across Brookhaven Town have tested positive for the West Nile Virus, the Suffolk County Department of Health Services said Monday.

The mosquito samples, Culex pipiens-restuans, which were collected on Aug. 18 and Aug. 19, included three from Fire Island Pines, two from Watch Hill, and one each from Mastic Beach, Mount Sinai, Rocky Point, and Setauket.

Additional samples were taken from Cold Spring Harbor, Aquebogue, West Babylon, Lindenhurst, Bay Shore, Bohemia, and Sayville.

To date this season, 104 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.

One adult resident, who lives in the town of Brookhaven, tested positive for the virus.

West Nile 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.

Residents are urged to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. People 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 West Nile virus. To report a deceased bird on your property, contact the Suffolk County Department of Health Services 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.