A Town of Oyster Bay resident's death has been attributed to the West Nile Virus, the first death tied to the virus this year in Nassau County, health officials said Friday.
This is the second human case of West Nile Virus in reported in the last two days in Nassau County, and the first death this year. This week's other case involved a woman over 70. She was hospitalized but is recovering.
One Oyster Bay town resident died from the disease last year, officials said. The identity of the victim and the specific location in the Town of Oyster Bay, which stretches from Long Island Sound to the Atlantic Ocean in Eastern Nassau County, was not revealed.
The Nassau County Department of Health said 68 mosquito pools have tested positive for West Nile virus, and the Department of Public Works will continue ground treatment in locally affected areas to help stem the tide of infection.
Health officials will continue mosquito surveillance at 42 trap sites located throughout Nassau County. In a press release, the county said its efforts "will be intensified in those communities where positive humans and mosquito pools have been identified."
The Health Department said West Nile virus is present throughout New York State and beyond, and the CDC reported a dramatic rise in cases this summer. Residents are urged to continue to take these precautions for safety and protection:
- Focus on personal protective efforts one can do to protect from West Nile virus exposure if outdoors when mosquitoes are active, especially in the late afternoon and evening hours.
- Consider wearing long sleeves, pants and socks.
- Use mosquito repellent (according to directions).
- 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 gutters in 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.
- Decorative ponds and water features should be circulated or chlorinated if they do not contain fish to prevent mosquito breeding.
For further information, visit the Nassau County Department of Health website at http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Health/index.html.
