Community Corner

West Nile Confirmed in 30 Nassau County Sites

Spraying in infected areas to begin shortly.

Mineola residents had best stock up on their mosquito repellant and citronella candles as the Nassau County Department of Health has just confirmed more cases of the West Nile virus in its mosquito pools in Nassau County. The new readings bring the total amount of pools positive for West Nile virus to 30 this year. As of a July 23 report, only 14 pools had been infected. There are a total of 42 mosquito pools located throughout the County.  

Samples from the various pools were collected on July 20 in West Hempstead, Valley Stream and Lakeview; July 21 in Massapequa Park, Massapequa Preserve, Wantagh and Merrick; July 22 in Glen Cove, July 23 in East Hills, Mineola, Garden City, East Garden City, Westbury and Old Westbury. To date, only one person in New Hyde Park has tested positive for the West Nile strain in 2010.

Many people infected with West Nile virus will not experience andy type of illness, with only an estimated 20-percent developing West Nile fever which includes fever, headache, body ache, occasional skin rash and swollen lymph glands. These are described as mild symptoms and may often go unnoticed or undetected.

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Symptoms of a severe infection, known as West Nile encephalitis of meningitis, include headache, high fever, neck and muscle stiffness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions and coma. Only about one in 150 of those infected with West Nile virus develop this severe form, with symptoms occurring between three to 14 days following exposure. There is no specific treatment for viral infections other than to treat symptoms and supportive care. All residents near an infected area are at risk of exposure, with those aged 50 and above at the highest risk for the severe form of the disease.

The Nassau County Department of Public Works is responsible for mosquito control and will begin spraying runs near and around the infected areas and breeding sites and applying a larvacide when necessary to kill young mosquitos. The Department of Health suggests anyone in the immediate area of spraying, close their windows, set the air conditioner to maximum and re-circulate to avoid any unnecessary exposure during the time of spraying.

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Known by its scientific name, the Culex pipiens-restuans, "the house mosquito" does not fly more than 200 feet from its breeding site, which is usually a pool of stagnant or still water. Residents are advised to take the following precautions: 

  • 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) if outdoors when mosquitoes are active, especially in the late afternoon and evening hours.
  • Decorative ponds and water features should be circulated or chlorinated if they do not contain fish to prevent mosquito breeding.

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

For additional information on West Nile virus activity, contact the Nassau County Department of Health at 516-227-9700. Additional West Nile virus information may be found on the Nassau County Department of Health website.


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