West Nile in Lindy Part of Biggest Outbreak in US History

Positive mosquito samples found in this Summer have contributed to the largest breakout of West Nile virus in United States history, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

According to the CDC on Tuesday, a total of 1,118 cases in people, including 41 deaths - now 42 deaths according to a report on Wednesday by CNN - have been reported. And almost half of all of the United States cases this year have been reported from Texas, the CDC said.

The numbers mark the highest level of instances reported to CDC through the third week in August since West Nile virus was first detected in the United States in 1999, according to the CDC on its website.

And Dr. Lyle Petersen, the director of the CDC's Vector-Borne Infectious Disease Division told CNN, "The peak of West Nile virus epidemics usually occurs in mid-August, but it takes a couple of weeks for people to get sick, go to the doctor and get reported. Thus we expect many more cases to occur."

Local Increase in West Nile
The Suffolk County Department of Health Services has also marked this  in West Nile.

So far this year in the County, 175 mosquito samples and 21 birds have tested positive for the virus, in addition to and another one being investigated as probable for the virus (no equine cases have been reported so far), Suffolk health officials said.

Of those 175 samples that span the County,  has six  to date, and nearby   now has . There were also two additional WNV-positive samples found in Copiague and in Bay Shore to date, plus one in Deer Park and two in North Babylon.

In addition, the first human case in Nassau County was confirmed on Wednesday in the Town of Oyster Bay.

“Though the number of mosquitoes testing positive is historically high for this time of year, we cannot predict if the numbers will continue to be high,” said Dr. James L. Tomarken, commissioner of the SCDHS. "There are many factors, such as weather, that affect mosquito population and activity."

County Response
In response the County has been steadily spraying at Fire Island, as well as begun spraying all around the County, including in , West Babylon, Amityville and Copiague area on and in an area stretching from West Babylon and to West Bay Shore on .

The County has also treated Oak Beach on  and Cedar Beach on , as well as salt marshes at the beaches all around Suffolk, including those at the  Town beaches on ,  and . Oak Beach is being treated again on .

What Residents Can Do
“Given the numbers are high, and we're finding samples in virtually all parts of the County, we ask residents be especially vigilant about reducing their exposure to mosquitoes whenever they can,” Tomarken further noted.

To that end residents could reduce the mosquito population around their homes by eliminating stagnant water where mosquitoes breed, the SCDHS recommended.

In addition, the County offers a bulletin entitled Mosquitoes and Mosquito-Borne Illnesses, which contains tips on personal protection and repellents.

Dead birds found on area properties might indicate the presence of West Nile virus in the area. To report dead birds call the West Nile virus  in Suffolk at 631-787-2200 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

To report mosquito problems or stagnant pools of water, call the Department of Public Works’ Vector Control Division at 631-852-4270.

For medical questions related to West Nile virus, call 631-853-3055.