Three new West Nile cases in Suffolk, officials say

Suffolk health officials on Wednesday reported three new cases of West Nile virus in the county, bringing the total of confirmed cases to 11 this season.

Suffolk County Commissioner of Health Services Dr. James Tomarken said in a news release that the three individuals affected live in Brookhaven Town and are older than 50. Two of them developed symptoms in October and one showed signs of the mosquito-borne disease in September.

All three of the victims were treated at hospitals and are recovering, Tomarken said.

“We are pleased that these three individuals who contracted West Nile virus are recovering, and we wish to remind residents that this is a good time of the year to plan ahead for the coming season,” he said. “Most people do not realize the number of areas around their own homes where mosquitoes can find stagnant water for laying their eggs.”

The eight other cases struck residents in the towns of Islip, Huntington, Smithtown, Brookhaven, Southold and Babylon in the 2018 season, which runs from June 1 until Nov. 1.

Last month, Nassau reported a total of 11 human cases and no deaths. It was unclear whether the county had discovered any new cases since then.