Mosquitoes

Eighteen new mosquito samples in Suffolk, including samples taken from locations in Aquebogue, Jamesport and Southold, have tested positive for West Nile Virus, Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. James Tomarken announced Friday afternoon.

Long Island is now considered "ground zero" for Lyme disease and once-exotic viruses and other infections are gaining a growing foothold. How goes our struggle against these vectors and the costly and deadly illness they bring with their bites? In two understated words: not well.

The measure is in response to the confirmed incidence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in a mosquito sample from the Manorville area.

The Southold sample was the first positive mosquito sample reported by the Suffolk County health department this summer.

Suffolk County plans aerial larvicide spraying of marshlands across the county today and tomorrow, the county health department announced yesterday afternoon.

Suffolk County will begin treating salt marshes across the county this week to control mosquito larvae, the county health department announced Tuesday afternoon.

Suffolk County vector control continues aerial larvicide applications to control mosquitoes in salt marshes across the county today and tomorrow, including locations in Southold and Riverhead towns.

As more mosquito samples and birds test positive for West Nile and a mosquito believed capable of transmitting Zika virus reported to be active in Suffolk, the county vector control division plans more aerial larvicide applications.

Suffolk County health officials are advising three parks to suspend all activities between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. due to the presence of West Nile virus in mosquitoes. The virus also turned up in 17 other locations across the county.

Suffolk County plans aerial larvicide applications tomorrow and Wednesday in multiple salt marshes in Southold Town.