West Nile virus detected in Long Island mosquito sample, first of year
A mosquito sample tested positive for West Nile virus in Suffolk County, health officials said Monday. Credit: USGS
West Nile virus has been detected in mosquito samples for the first time this year on Long Island, officials said Monday.
The positive samples were gathered from West Babylon on June 27 and from Woodbury on June 29, according to the Nassau and Suffolk health departments.
No human cases have been detected this year in either county.
Surveillance has shown mosquitoes infected with the virus throughout parts of New York City this year.
The virus can be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. While some people infected with West Nile virus may experience mild or moderate symptoms of headaches, fever, joint pain and body aches, others can develop severe illness that could lead to inflammation of the brain, called encephalitis, or meningitis, which is inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
People over the age of 60 are at greater risk of developing severe illness if they are bitten by an infected mosquito.
“While there is no cause for alarm, we advise residents to cooperate with us in our efforts to reduce exposure to West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases,” Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott said in a statement.
Health officials suggested people minimize their outdoor activities between dusk and dawn, use mosquito repellent and follow its directions carefully. In addition, people should make sure their window and door screens don’t have holes in them that could allow mosquitoes into the home.
Mosquitoes can breed in even small pools of water, so experts suggest emptying all containers that can trap standing water in outdoor areas.
The actual number and location of mosquitoes that may have West Nile virus is unknown, since surveillance is done in select locations around Suffolk County and does not capture the whole population.
Suffolk County Health Department officials said the number of West Nile virus-infected mosquitoes in that county has varied over the years. For example, there were eight positive mosquito samples and no human cases in 2004, but then 210 positive mosquito samples and 14 human cases in 2012.
West Nile virus was first detected in Queens in 1999. Since that time, municipalities have set up monitoring systems to detect early signs of the virus and often spray pesticides in an effort to reduce the population of mosquitoes that may carry the virus.
Lisa joined Newsday as a staff writer in 2019. She previously worked at amNewYork, the New York Daily News and the Asbury Park Press covering politics, government and general assignment.
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