13th Case of West Nile Virus In Nassau County

The Nassau County Department of Health is reporting another new individual diagnosed with a confirmed case of West Nile virus. The individual is a 9-year old male from West Hempstead who became ill on August 30th with fever, nausea and headache.  He was hospitalized on September 2nd, discharged September 11th and is recovering at home. 

This brings the total number of individuals with West Nile virus in 2008 in Nassau County to 13; of which 10 are confirmed and three are probable cases.  Of the 13, there are three deaths due to the disease.

Residents are urged to remain vigilant and remember to continue to remove standing water from around their homes to prevent breeding of new mosquitoes.  Mosquitoes will continue to be active until the weather gets cold enough to have two overnight frosts.  Precautions include:

• 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.
• Wear long sleeves, pants, socks and mosquito repellent (according to directions) where mosquitoes are active, especially in the late afternoon and at dawn and dusk.

WNV Positives by Town (pdf file)