I was made aware of this from another listserv, and I think it is
relevant to the discussion about dead crows found in the Hamptons. It is
dated August 17, 2018.
http://suffolkcountyny.gov/Home/tabid/59/ctl/details/itemid/7274/mid/2638/new-mosquito-samples-tests-positive-for-west-nile-virus.aspx
New Mosquito Samples Tests Positive for West Nile Virus
Categories: Health Services | Author: gkelly-mcgovern | Posted:
8/17/2018 | Views: 97
Residents and visitors are advised to take precautions
Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. James Tomarken announced today
that 29 new mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile virus.
The samples -- 27 Culex pipiens-restuans and one Culex salinarius --
were collected between August 7 and August 9 from Dix Hills (1),
Huntington (6), South Huntington (1), East Northport (1), North Babylon
(2), West Babylon (5), Copiague (1), Smithtown (1), Bay Shore (1),
Setauket (1), Farmingville (1), Ridge (1), Jamesport (3), Bridgehampton
(3), East Hampton (1).
To date, the county has confirmed 71 mosquito samples and three birds
have tested positive for West Nile Virus. There are no human cases of
West Nile virus in Suffolk County.
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. No humans or horses have tested
positive for West Nile virus in Suffolk this year.
“The confirmation of West Nile virus in mosquito samples or birds
indicates the presence of West Nile virus in the area,” said Dr.
Tomarken. “While there is no cause for alarm, we advise residents to
cooperate with us in our efforts to reduce the exposure to the virus,
which can be debilitating to humans.”
According to Dr. Tomarken, 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 of age or older, or those with compromised immune systems, who are
most at risk, are urged to take precautions to avoid being bitten by
mosquitoes.
To avoid mosquito bites, residents are advised to:
Minimize outdoor activities between dusk and dawn.
Wear shoes and socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirts when mosquitoes
are active.
Use mosquito repellent, following label directions carefully.
Make sure all windows and doors have screens, and that all screens are
in good repair.
Keep mosquitoes from laying eggs inside and outside of your home. Once a
week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out containers that
hold water, such as vases, pet water bowls, flowerpot saucers, discarded
tires, buckets, pool covers, birdbaths, trash cans and rain barrels.
Download a copy of Suffolk County’s informational brochure “Get the Buzz
on Mosquito Protection,” available in English and Spanish, and share it
with your community.
Dead birds may indicate the presence of West Nile virus in the area. To
report dead birds, call the Public Health Information Line in Suffolk
County at 631-852-5999 from 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Residents are encouraged to take a photograph of any bird in question.
To report mosquito problems or stagnant pools of water, call the
Department of Public Works’ Vector Control Division at 631-852-4270.
For further information on West Nile virus, visit the Department of
Health Services’ website at
http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/HealthServices/PublicHealth/PreventiveServices/ArthropodborneDiseaseProgram/Mosquitoes.aspx
Follow us
suffolkcountyny.gov
Facebook.com/SuffolkCountyHealth
Twitter.com/SuffolkCoHealth
--
NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm
ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01
Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/
--