Suffolk County health officials reported 25 additional mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile virus, including one collected in Aquebogue.
The samples were Culex pipiens-restuans mosquitoes, according to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services. The positive samples were collected in Cold Spring Harbor, Northport, Greenlawn, Dix Hills, Copiague, Lindenhurst, West Babylon, Smithtown, Bay Shore, West Islip, Sayville, North Patchogue, Port Jefferson Station, Farmingville, Mount Sinai, Rocky Point and Aquebogue.
To date this season, 54 mosquito samples in Suffolk County have tested positive for West Nile virus, county health officials said. Three mosquito samples, including one collected in Southold, 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 transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people infected with the virus experience 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. People age 50 and older and those with compromised immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness.
Three dead crows in Suffolk County have tested positive for West Nile virus this season: two found June 24 in Ronkonkoma and one found Aug. 5 in Nesconset, according to the health department. Dead birds can indicate the presence of the virus 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.
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