Local health officials reported on Monday, July 28th, that 14 mosquito samples collected on July 16 from nine Suffolk towns tested positive for the West Nile Virus.
The samples were taken from Dix Hills, Holtsville, Lindenhurst, Melville, Nesconset, Northport, Rocky Point, St. James and West Babylon.
Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott made the announcement, which also served as a public service address informing residents on all the ways they can adequately combat exposure to infected mosquitoes.
The County has not reported any human cases of West Nile this year. However, West Nile has been detected in Suffolk every year since 1999. There were 21 confirmed cases just last year.
Says the County’s health department: most people infected with West Nile virus will experience mild or no symptoms, but some can develop severe symptoms, including high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and even paralysis.
The symptoms can last several weeks, with permanent neurological devastation on the table if not treated. People over 50 are especially encouraged to take precautions.
According to the Suffolk County Health Department, minimizing outdoor activities between dusk and dawn, wearing shoes, socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirts, and utilizing mosquito repellent are all recommended.
The virus is transmissible through bites.
To keep mosquitoes from laying eggs within or around the home, one should empty and scrub or simply throw out and replace water-holding containers for good measure.
"Mosquito activity is picking up with the warmer weather and with it comes the risk of being exposed to West Nile virus," said Pigott. "While there is no cause for alarm, we advise residents to take precautions and cooperate with us in our efforts to reduce exposure to mosquito-borne diseases."