More mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus have been found, Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. James Tomarken announced Friday.
The 29 new mosquito samples were collected between Aug. 7 and Aug. 9 from Dix Hills (1), Huntington (6), South Huntington (1), East Northport (1), North Babylon (2), West Babylon (5), Copiague (1), Smithtown (1), Bay Shore (1), Setauket (1), Farmingville (1), Ridge (1), Jamesport (3), Bridgehampton (3), East Hampton(1).
The county has confirmed 71 mosquito samples and three birds have tested positive for West Nile Virus so far this year. There are no human cases of West Nile virus in Suffolk County.
West Nile virus, first detected in birds and mosquito samples in Suffolk County in 1999 and again each year thereafter, is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. No humans or horses have tested positive for West Nile virus in Suffolk this year.
“The confirmation of West Nile virus in mosquito samples or birds indicates the presence of West Nile virus in the area,” Tomarken said. “While there is no cause for alarm, we advise residents to cooperate with us in our efforts to reduce the exposure to the virus, which can be debilitating to humans.”