The New York State Department of Health has diagnosed two Nassau County residents with West Nile virus.

One patient is a 60-year old man who resides in Hicksville. He became ill with symptoms of fever and altered mental status on August 9th and was hospitalized on August 10th. He was discharged from the hospital on August 26th and is recovering at home.

The second patient is a 57-year old woman who resides in Bethpage. She became ill on August 13th with symptoms of fever and headache and has fully recovered. She was not hospitalized.

The Nassau County Departments of Health and Public Works have intensified mosquito surveillance activities in the Hicksville and Bethpage areas. They are inspecting for breeding sites and, when necessary, will apply larvicide. No mosquito pools have been found positive in Hicksville and Bethpage to date.

Three additional crows have been found positive with West Nile virus in Nassau County. This brings the total positive birds to 10. They were found in Inwood, Brookville and West Hempstead.

At this time, Nassau County has no plans to spray for adult mosquitoes.

Commissioner of Health, David M. Ackman, MD, MPH, said: "With the increase of West Nile virus throughout the country, it is not surprising to find a case now in Nassau County." He urged the public to take reasonable precautions to avoid exposure to mosquitoes.

• Remove or empty standing water from old tires, garbage cans, or any object that can hold water.
• Make sure roof gutters drain properly and clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall.
• Keep swimming pools chlorinated and their covers free of stagnant water
• Change the water in birdbaths every two or three days
• Keep window and door screens in good repair.
• Consider wearing long sleeves, pants, socks and mosquito repellent (according to directions) when outdoor where mosquitoes are active, especially in the late afternoon and from dusk to dawn.

Please continue to report dead birds to the New York State Hotline toll free number at 1-866-537-2473 on Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or to the Department of Health Monday through Friday, between 7:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at (516) 571-8707. Most of the reported birds will not be collected. To call about a mosquito problem, call 571-8707 weekdays from 7:45a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Residents can hear the latest information about West Nile virus by dialing 571-2500. The information is available in English and Spanish 24 hours a day. In addition, West Nile information may be found on the County website at www.NassauCountyNY.gov/health.