3 more cases in Suffolk put total Long Island West Nile infections at 14

The Suffolk County health commissioner reported three new cases of West Nile virus on Wednesday, bringing the total number of Long Island cases this year to 14.

The latest cases were reported in the Town of Islip, the Town of Brookhaven and the Town of Huntington, Suffolk Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott said in a statement.

Officials said the cases brought the county's total to 11, including five from the Town of Islip, four from the Town of Brookhaven, one from the Town of Huntington and one from the Town of Babylon. All but two of the people infected were over the age of 50. The first case was reported Aug. 7.

Nassau County has reported at least three cases of West Nile but health officials have not provided further details.

"We urge people, especially those who are older or have chronic illness, to seek medical attention as soon as they experience symptoms that may indicate West Nile virus and remind medical providers to consider West Nile virus as a diagnosis in patients who report symptoms such as fever, headache and body aches after recent mosquito bites," Pigott said.

The latest cases include an Islip resident, under age 50, who has recovered after feeling symptoms of West Nile in mid-August. The patient was hospitalized for six days.

Another person from the Town of Brookhaven, also under 50 and showing symptoms that began in late August, is recovering at home, officials said.

The third person, from the Town of Huntington, is over 50, and has already recovered. The person began experiencing symptoms of West Nile virus in mid-August and recovered at home.

West Nile is carried by infected mosquitoes and symptoms usually appear one to 14 days after a person is bitten. Anyone with symptoms should consult a physician. The health department has said mild symptoms may include fever, headache and body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph glands.

More severe symptoms include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. The disease can also be fatal, with the people most at risk of severe infection being anyone older than 50 or those with chronic illness or compromised immune systems.

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.