3 More Cases Of West Nile Virus Emerge In Suffolk County

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Three new Cases of West Nile Virus have emerged in Suffolk County — two in Brookhaven Town, and the other in Smithtown, all in people over the age of 50, Suffolk County Department of Health Services officials said Thursday.

Two residents from Brookhaven experienced symptoms of West Nile virus in early September and were hospitalized, with one remaining hospitalized and one recovering at a rehabilitation facility. A resident Smithtown was hospitalized with symptoms of West Nile virus in early September and is recovering in a rehabilitation facility.

To date this year, Suffolk has reported 19 cases of West Nile virus, with the first case reported on Aug. 7.

Suffolk County this year has reported six cases from the Town of Islip, nine from the Town of Brookhaven, two from the Town of Smithtown, and one each from the towns of Huntington and Babylon, with all but two cases were over the age of 50.

To date this year, Suffolk has reported 19 cases of West Nile virus, with the first case reported on Aug. 7.

This year, the county has confirmed the second-highest number of cases of West Nile virus in a single year since the county began reporting cases in 2000. The highest number of cases was reported in 2010, when the county confirmed 25 cases, which included three deaths from the virus.

Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott noted that "it's a great time to be outdoors, and while mosquitoes might not be as active as they were in the summer, those that remain could be carrying the virus."

“Continue taking precautions and do seek prompt medical attention if you feel ill after a mosquito bite," he said.