7 mosquito samples in Suffolk tested positive for West Nile virus: County

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Seven mosquito samples tested positive for West Nile virus, Suffolk County Health Officer Dr. Gregson Pigott said Friday.

These included samples of Culex pipiens-restuans collected on September 4 in Bay Shore, Northport, Selden and Watch Hill on Fire Island, and samples of Culex salinarius collected on August 28 and September 4 in Watch Hill, according to Pigott.

This summer season, 222 mosquito samples and five birds tested positive for West Nile virus. One mosquito sample tested positive for Eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus.

According to Pigott, eleven people have been confirmed to be infected with the West Nile virus and are on the road to recovery.

The last person to test positive was a resident of the city of Brookhaven on August 7.

West Nile virus, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito, was first detected in bird and mosquito samples in Suffolk County in 1999 and has been detected every year since then. The first human case of West Nile virus was confirmed in 2001, and since then nearly 150 people have been infected with West Nile virus and nine deaths have been attributed to the virus.

“As summer comes to a close, we are seeing fewer mosquitoes entering our traps, however, mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus may still be biting,” Pigott said. “You should not become lax until mid-October as cooler weather will limit mosquito activity.”