Eleven Suffolk mosquito samples positive for West Nile virus

Suffolk County health officials said 11 mosquito samples collected earlier this month have tested positive for West Nile virus.

The positive samples were collected July 15 and 16 in Bay Shore, Port Jefferson Station, Setauket, Lindenhurst, Copiague, West Babylon and Sayville, according to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.

Ten of the samples were Culex pipiens-restuans mosquitoes: one each from Bay Shore, Port Jefferson Station, Setauket, Copiague and West Babylon, and five from Lindenhurst. One Culex salinarius sample collected in Sayville also tested positive.

So far this season, 12 mosquito samples in Suffolk County have tested positive for West Nile virus, and three mosquito samples have tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus, county health officials said. No human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Suffolk County this year.

West Nile virus is spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people who become infected have mild symptoms or no symptoms, but some can develop serious illness, including headache, neck stiffness, vision loss, high fever, confusion, muscle weakness, paralysis and, in rare cases, death.

County health officials urged residents to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, especially people age 50 and older and those with compromised immune systems.

The county also reported that two dead crows found June 24 in Ronkonkoma tested positive for West Nile virus. Dead birds can be an indicator that the virus is present in an area.

Residents who find a dead bird on their property can report it to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services Bureau of Public Health Protection at 631-852-5999 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The county encourages residents to submit a photo of the bird.

Mosquito problems can be reported to the Suffolk County Department of Public Works Division of Vector Control at 631-852-4270.