August 14, 2009

First West Nile Virus-Positive Mosquito Pool in 2009

Confirmed in Nassau County

Uniondale, NY – Dr. Maria Torroella Carney, Commissioner of the Nassau County Department of Health, today announced the county’s first isolation of West Nile Virus (WNV) from a mosquito pool.  The virus was identified in a sample of Culex pipiens-restuans mosquitoes, a species which primarily bites birds.

The sample was collected on August 6th in Glen Cove and test results were confirmed today by the New York State Department of Health.

To date, no humans, horses or birds have tested positive for West Nile Virus in Nassau County.

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

The Nassau County Departments of Health and Public Works will continue their mosquito control efforts by inspecting breeding sites and, when necessary, applying larvicide. Mosquito surveillance will continue at 42 trap sites located throughout the county and will be intensified in the Glen Cove area.

Because West Nile virus is present throughout New York State and beyond, and the primary carrier of WNV in Nassau County is the Culex pipiens, or “house mosquito” which does not fly more than 200 feet from its breeding site, residents are urged to continue to take these precautions for safety and protection:

• Remove or empty standing water from children’s outdoor toys, flower pots, garbage cans, pails, old tires, or any object that can hold water.
• Make sure roof gutters drain properly; 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.
• Install window and door screens and keep them in good repair.
• Consider wearing long sleeves, pants, socks and mosquito repellent (according to directions) when outdoors when mosquitoes are active, especially in the late afternoon and evening hours.

For mosquito problems, stagnant water or a drainage problem, call the Nassau County Department of Public Works at: (516) 572-1166, weekdays from 7:45 am to 3:30 pm.

For information concerning West Nile Virus activity, phone the Health Department Information Line at (516) 227-9700.

For additional information or to report a dead bird you can phone the Nassau County Department of Health at: (516) 572-1211,weekdays from 7:45 am to 3:30 pm.  Although dead birds may provide an indication of the presence of West Nile Virus activity in an area, most of the dead birds will not be collected for laboratory analysis.