The New York State Department of Health has diagnosed two additional Nassau County residents with West Nile virus. This brings the total to 6 human cases in Nassau County.

The 5 th individual is a 79 year-old man from Bellmore. His symptoms included fever, headache, and altered mental status. He became ill on August 22 and was hospitalized on August 27 th. He remains hospitalized, but his condition is improving. The 6 th individual is a 75 year-old man from New Hyde Park. His symptoms also included fever, headache and altered mental status. He was hospitalized on September 21 st, and remains hospitalized in serious condition.

The first four cases were from New Hyde Park, Long Beach, Elmont and Freeport.

The Nassau County Departments of Health and Public Works have intensified mosquito surveillance activities in the Bellmore and New Hyde Park areas. They are inspecting for breeding sites and, when necessary, will apply larvicide.

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

Commissioner of Health, David M. Ackman, MD, MPH, said: “We expect to find West Nile virus in birds and mosquitoes until cold weather. There will be some mosquito activity until there are at least two good frosts.” He urged the public to continue to:

• 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) 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 24-hours a day. In addition, West Nile information may be found on the County website at www.nassaucountyny.gov/health.