4 New Human Cases Of West Nile Virus Reported In Suffolk: Health Dept.

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Four more Suffolk County residents have confirmed cases of the mosquito-transmitted West Nile Virus after the first human case was reported on August 7, the Suffolk County Department of Health announced Thursday.

According to officials, one person from the Town of Islip and another from the Town of Brookhaven are recovering at home. Another, from the Town of Brookhaven, is recovering at a rehabilitation facility while another from the Town of Babylon is still hospitalized.

To date this year, Suffolk County has reported five cases of West Nile virus.

“It is unusual for us to be reporting this many cases of West Nile virus this early in the season,” said Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott. “As there are still several weeks left in the season, we urge people older than 50 and others who are at higher risk of having severe symptoms to seek medical attention promptly if they experience any of the symptoms associated with West Nile virus.”

The human cases of West Nile Virus follow numerous positive mosquito and bird samples in various towns around Suffolk County. The virus was first detected in birds and mosquito samples in Suffolk County in 1999 and again each year since.

“Though we have reported large numbers of positive mosquitoes early this season, the recent heavy rain may be enough to disrupt the cycle, as the heavy rain would have washed many mosquitoes and their larvae away,” said Dr. Scott Campbell, Chief of Suffolk County's Arthropod-borne Disease Laboratory

According to the Department of Health, the number of mosquito samples testing positive for West Nile virus in Suffolk County varies each year, ranging from 8 positive mosquito samples in 2004 with no reported human cases of West Nile virus to 295 positive mosquito samples in 2010 with 25 human cases reported.

In 2023, Suffolk County reported 99 positive mosquito samples and 5 human cases; in 2022, 96 positive mosquito samples and 11 human cases, and in 2021, 111 positive mosquito samples and 8 human cases.

According to officials, around 20 percent of those who become infected will develop clinically noticeable symptoms of West Nile virus disease. Symptoms may include fever, headache and body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph glands. Severe symptoms include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. West Nile virus can be fatal, officials said.

Residents who experience symptoms are advised to visit their healthcare providers. While there is no specific treatment for West Nile virus, patients may be offered supportive therapy as needed.

Dr. Pigott offered the following tips to avoid mosquito bites:

• Minimize outdoor activities between dusk and dawn.
• Wear shoes and socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirts when mosquitoes are active.
• Use mosquito repellent, following label directions carefully.
• Make sure all windows and doors have screens, and that all screens are in good repair.
• Keep mosquitoes from laying eggs inside and outside of your home.
• Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out containers that hold water, such as vases, pet water bowls, flowerpot saucers, discarded tires, buckets, pool covers, birdbaths, trash cans and rain barrels.

Dead birds may indicate the presence of West Nile virus in the area. To report dead birds, call the Bureau of Public Health Protection at 631-852-5999 from 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Residents are encouraged to take a photograph of any bird in question.
To report mosquito problems or stagnant pools of water, call the Department of Public Works’ Vector Control Division at 631-852-4270.