SC Dept of Health Update 8/26/10

SUFFOLK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 26, 2010

CONTACT: Grace Kelly-McGovern 631-853-3009

Nine Additional Mosquito Samples Test Positive for West Nile Virus Gardiner County Park and Lindenhurst Village Park have closed to activity from dusk until dawn Hauppauge, NY – Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDHS) Commissioner James L. Tomarken, MD, MSW, MPH, MBA, FRCPC, FACP, has been notified by the New York State Department of Health that nine additional mosquito samples sent to their laboratory have tested positive for West Nile virus.

These samples were collected August 12th and 13th in Babylon: West Babylon (2) Lindenhurst (2) and Deer Park; in Islip: West Islip (2) and Gardiner County Park in Bay Shore; and in Southampton. This year, a total of 148 mosquito samples, collected from various places in the county, have tested positive for West Nile virus. A total of 56 birds have tested positive in 2010.

To protect the public, the county has closed Gardiner County Park from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. and all activities have been suspended during those hours. Southaven County Park and Blydenburgh County Park were closed from dusk to dawn earlier this season and remain closed to activity during those hours. The county will continue to collect samples at all three county parks and will recommend resumption of dusk-to-dawn activities at these facilities when the parks are considered to be safe.

In addition, county officials today contacted Village of Lindenhurst Mayor Tom Brennan to inform him of the finding of an infected mosquito sample at Fireman’s Park and Village Park/Feller’s Pond. Mayor Brennan has closed the park to activity from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. For more information, call the Village of Lindenhurst at 631-957-7500.

West Nile virus, first detected in Suffolk in 1999 and again each year thereafter through 2010, is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. New York State has confirmed four human cases of West Nile virus in 2010.

To reduce the mosquito population around homes, residents should try to eliminate stagnant water: • Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar waterholding containers.

• Remove all discarded tires on the property.

• Make sure roof gutters drain properly, and clean clogged gutters.

• • • • •

Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.

Change the water in birdbaths.

Clean vegetation and debris from the edges of ponds and keep shrubs and grass trimmed.

Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs.

Drain water from pool covers.

While most people infected with West Nile virus will experience mild or no symptoms, some can develop severe symptoms including: high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. Symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent. Individuals, especially those 50 years of age or older or those with compromised immune systems, who are most at risk, are urged to take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

To avoid mosquito bites, residents are advised to: • Minimize outdoor activities between dusk and dawn.

• Wear shoes and socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are more active.

• Use mosquito repellent when outdoors, following label directions carefully.

• Make sure all windows and doors have screens, and all screens are in good repair.

Dead birds found on area properties may indicate the presence of West Nile virus in the area. To report dead birds, or to report mosquito problems or stagnant pools of water, call the West Nile virus hotline in Suffolk County at 631-787-2200 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For medical questions related to West Nile virus, call 631-853-3055.

For further information on West Nile virus, visit the Department of Health Services’ website at www.suffolkcountyny.gov/health.

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SUFFOLK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 26, 2010

CONTACT: Grace Kelly-McGovern 631-853-3009

Hauppauge, NY – Suffolk County Commissioner of Health Services James L. Tomarken, MD, MSW, MPH, MBA, FRCPC, FACP, said today that the New York State laboratory has confirmed one new human case of West Nile virus.

An adult under the age of 55 from the Town of Babylon became ill on August 9, 2010, with fever, vomiting and body aches. The individual was hospitalized and has since recovered.

The total number of human West Nile virus cases in Suffolk County to date this year is four -- three in the Town of Babylon and one in the Town of Huntington. Suffolk County has treated both towns for mosquitoes and will conduct enhanced mosquito surveillance in both areas.

“We are finding record numbers of West Nile virus mosquito samples in Suffolk County this year and are cautiously concerned about the threat to humans,” said Dr. Tomarken.

“We urge residents to be vigilant and to visit their doctors promptly if they experience fever, headache or body aches for unknown reasons.”

Dr. Tomarken said it was important for residents to reduce mosquito breeding in areas around their homes and property to prevent the transmission of West Nile virus to people.

After each rainfall, remember to eliminate standing water in flower pots, clogged gutters, recycle bins, birdbaths, swimming pool and hot tub covers. Using insect repellants, avoiding the hours from dusk to dawn (when most mosquitoes are active), and wearing long sleeves and long pants when outdoor activity between dusk and dawn is unavoidable, are also steps everyone can take to stay healthy this summer. Mosquito season lasts from June 1 through November 1.

West Nile virus can cause serious illness and in some cases, death. It is estimated that 20 percent of those who become infected will develop clinically noticeable symptoms of West Nile virus disease. Mild symptoms include fever, headache and body aches, and occasionally a skin rash and swollen lymph glands. Symptoms of severe infection (West Nile encephalitis or meningitis) include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, muscle weakness, stupor and disorientation.

From 1999, when West Nile virus was first isolated in New York to 2009, there have been 40 human cases of West Nile virus identified in Suffolk County as well as four deaths attributable to West Nile virus.

Dead birds found on area properties may indicate the presence of West Nile virus in the area. To report dead birds, mosquito problems or stagnant pools of water, call the West Nile virus hotline in Suffolk County at 631-787-2200 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For medical questions related to West Nile virus, call 631-853-3055.

For further information on West Nile virus, visit the Department of Health Services’ website at www.suffolkcountyny.gov/departments/healthservices.aspx .

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