First West Nile Case Found in Nassau

Nassau County health officials are warning residents to take precautions after confirming the first human case of West Nile Virus in Nassau County this year.

The Health Department has confirmed a case of West Nile virus in a Nassau County resident, a woman over age 70 who lives in the Town of Oyster Bay.

The unidentified woman became ill with symptoms consistent with West Nile virus on July 27, was hospitalized, and is now recovering, county health officials said. It is Long Island's second case of the summer: a Suffolk resident was diagnosed with West Nile, health officials said.

West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne virus capable of making people sick and even causing death.

Human West Nile Virus cases are on the rise nationally, as well. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has issued an alert, saying 693 cases of West Nile Virus disease have been reported in people this year, including 26 deaths, nationwide.

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Authorities say this is the highest number of cases reported to the CDC through the second week in August since 1999, when the virus was first detected in the United States. One person died from the disease last year on Long Island.

To see more about the disease from the national perspective, click here to the CDC's website.

To date, 58 mosquito pools have tested positive for West Nile virus in Nassau County during 2012. Nassau County Departments of Health and Public Works will continue their mosquito control efforts by inspecting breeding sites, officials said. When indicated, experts will conduct localized ground treatment to control mosquitoes that may be carrying West Nile virus.

Mosquito surveillance will continue at 42 trap sites located throughout Nassau County. 

The County Health Department is offering the following tips to help eliminate mosquito breeding and prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus:  

• Make sure roof gutters drain properly.
• Remove or empty standing water from children’s outdoor toys, flower pots, garbage cans, pails, or any object that can hold water.
• Keep swimming pools chlorinated and their covers free of stagnant water.
• Change the water in birdbaths every two or three days.
• Install window and door screens and keep them in good repair.
• Consider wearing long sleeves, pants, socks and mosquito repellent (according to directions) if outdoors when mosquitoes are active, especially in the late afternoon and evening hours.
• Decorative ponds and water features should be circulated or chlorinated if they do not contain fish to prevent mosquito breeding.

For mosquito, stagnant water or drainage problems, call the Nassau County Department of Public Works at: (516) 571-6900. Additional West Nile virus information may be found on the Nassau County Department of Health website at http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Health/index.html.