West Nile Virus on Long Island
West Nile virus is present on Long Island according to an official report from health officials here.
Long Island health officials said 12 recent samples from area mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile virus.
The samples, collected July 2 and 3, came from nine towns, including one each from Melville, Manorville, West Babylon, Lindenhurst, Holbrook, North Patchogue and Farmingville, according to Dr. Gregson Pigott, Suffolk County health commissioner.
Two samples from Northport and three from Holtsville also tested positive for the virus.
READ HERE: A TREMOR IN NEW YORK ALARMED THE CITIZENRY
West Nile Virus on Long Island: Not a First Time
West Nile virus on Long Island was first detected in the county in 1999 and has been found every year since.
It is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.
In 2023, 99 positive West Nile virus samples were found on Long Island, according to county officials, and five human cases.
Most people who contract the virus experience few or no symptoms, but some may develop severe symptoms such as high fever, headache, neck stiffness, tremors, seizures, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.
People over the age of 50 or with compromised immune systems may be especially susceptible to West Nile virus on Long Island.
