15 New Suffolk Mosquito Samples Test Positive for West Nile Virus

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — The Suffolk County Health Department announced on Friday that 15 mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile virus in Suffolk County.

The positive samples, of Culex pipiens-restuans species, were collected from Aug. 20 through Aug. 26 from the following locations: one in Huntington Station; one in Melville; one in Dix Hills; two in Bay Shore; one in Brentwood; one in Bohemia; one in Hampton Bays; one in Mt. Sinai; one in Selden; one in Shelter Island; one in Copiague; and two in Lindenhurst.

One positive sample was of the Culex salinarius sample species was also collected from Sayville.

To date this year, 69 mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile virus and one sample tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus, said Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott.

This week two cases of West Nile virus in Suffolk County, which are the first ones to be reported this season.

The first individual, who is over the age of 50 and resides in the Town of Southampton, became ill in mid-July with symptoms consistent with West Nile virus. The individual was briefly hospitalized and has been recuperating at home, Pigott said.

The second individual, who is over the age of 50 and resides in the Town of Huntington, became ill in mid-August, was hospitalized, and is improving.

West Nile virus, first detected in birds and mosquito samples in Suffolk County in 1999 and again each year thereafter, is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito.

Suffolk County reported 11 cases of West Nile virus in 2022 and 8 in 2021. Nine people have died from West Nile virus since 2000.

Most people infected with West Nile virus will experience mild or no symptoms, but some can develop severe symptoms including high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness, and paralysis. The symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.

Individuals, especially those 50 years or older or those with compromised immune systems, are urged to take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

More information about West Nile virus in Suffolk County can be found on the Health Department website here.