5th Case Of West Nile Reported In Suffolk County: Health Commissioner

LONG ISLAND, NY — A new case of the deadly West Nile virus has been been confirmed in a person from the Town of Brookhaven who is under the age of 50 and came down with symptoms in late September, was hospitalized briefly, but has completely recovered, Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott said Monday.

So far this year, the county has reported five cases of the virus, which is significantly lower than 21 cases in 2024. In 2023, there were five cases.

The virus was first reported in Suffolk in 2001.

Other cases were previously reported in Babylon and Huntington.

Pigott said that though mosquito season is over, the case serves as "a reminder" that mosquitoes carrying disease were still transmitting disease "well after Labor Day."

“Now is a good time to repair screens and clean your property in preparation for next year’s mosquito season," he added.

The deadly West Nile virus is transmitted to people by the bite of an infected mosquito, and symptoms of the virus typically occur one to 14 days after a person becomes infected.

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.

Residents who experience symptoms are advised to visit their healthcare providers. The people who are most at risk of severe infection include those over 50 years of age and those with chronic illness or compromised immune systems.

While there is no specific treatment for West Nile virus, patients may be offered supportive therapy as needed.

For more information about the virus, click here.

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