West Nile Virus Detected In Bayside

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — Despite repeated attempts to combat mosquitos and West Nile virus in northeast Queens, nearly 200 pools of mosquitos have tested positive for the disease — including some in Bayside, city records show.

As of Thursday, the city found 188 groups of mosquitos across the five boroughs that tested positive for the West Nile virus through a process known as "mosquito pooling," where the insects are trapped and tested for diseases.

86 of those mosquito pools were found in Queens, making it the borough with the most West Nile virus positive pools citywide, city data shows. Most of the West Nile virus activity in Queens is in the northeast part of the borough, including in Bayside.

A map showing where West Nile virus is active in the city shows that the disease has been found in Bayside's ZIP codes of 11360 and 11361, as well as in the nearby neighborhood of Douglaston.

The virus was first detected in Bayside this year on July 2, marking a citywide trend of an earlier, and more intense West Nile virus season.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), the first positive cases of mosquitos with West Nile virus were found during mid-June in Queens, compared to last year when the disease wasn't found in the city until July 7.

Also, the now-nearly 200 groups of positive mosquitos far surpasses the 9 positive pools that were found at this time last year.

The DOH attributes this spike in cases to "recent heavy rains" that cause mosquito populations to rise "significantly," since the insects breed in standing water.

So far, cases of West Nile virus have just remained in mosquitos this season, although the DOH is investigating one person in the Bronx who was recently diagnosed with meningitis, which can be caused by West Nile virus.

New York City records cases of West Nile Virus almost every year — city data shows that there's been 435 cases since 1999 — since it's one of the most mosquito-blighted parts of the United States.

To prevent mosquito bites, the Centers for Disease Control suggests using insect repellent that contain DEET, picaridin, ir3535, lemon eucalyptus oil, para-menthane-diol or 2-undecanone.

Other options include wearing long sleeves and pants, using air-conditioning or window and door screens, and replacing containers of standing water — including vases and pet bowls— weekly, to prevent breeding.