The TIMES of Middle Country
Serving CentereaCh
Volume 11, No. 17
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Selden
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northern lake grove
August 13, 2015
$1.00
Honoring Civil War veterans in Northport
also, ‘Rights of Summer’ exhibit in Huntington, ‘The Pied Piper’ in Port Jefferson, SBU Sports
PagE B1
Photo by Erika Karp
85 YEARS STRONG: the Siol na h’eireann Pipe Band of Selden plays in the Sound Beach Fire department’s 85th anniversary parade on Saturday, aug. 8. Fire departments from across the north Shore celebrated with Sound Beach at the department’s afternoon fair and parade.
Gillibrand supports microbead ban Hahn’s effort gets federal backing
PagE a5
More mosquitos test positive for West Nile Total of 46 cases so far By Rohma aBBas
Twenty-six mosquito samples and one bird have tested positive for West Nile virus in various parts of Suffolk County, Dr. James L. Tomarken, the county’s health commissioner, announced last week. Two samples from each of Northport, East Northport, Huntington Station, Nesconset and Port Jefferson; and one sample in each of Greenlawn, Selden, North Babylon and West Islip tested positive for the virus. Five samples from West Babylon, four from Farmingville and three from Lindenhurst were also positive. All samples were collected on July 29, according to the county.
The bird, an American crow, was collected on July 31 from Port Jefferson. To date this year, 46 mosquito samples and four birds have tested positive for West Nile Virus. West Nile virus was first detected in birds and mosquito samples in Suffolk County in 1999. It 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. While Dr. Tomarken said there’s no cause for alarm, he urged residents to take steps to reduce exposure to the virus. Residents should eliminate stagnant water, where mosquitoes breed. Popular breeding grounds include tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots,
discarded tires, wading pools, wheelbarrows and birdbaths. In addition, residents can make sure their roof gutters are draining properly, clean debris from the edges of ponds and drain water from pool covers. Minimize outdoor activities between dusk and dawn to avoid mosquito bites, make sure windows and doors have screens and wear clothing that covers you when outdoors for long periods of time, or when the bugs are more active. To report dead birds, which may indicate the presence of the virus, residents should call the county’s West Nile virus hotline at 631-787-2200, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Residents are encouraged to take a photograph of any bird in question.
Stock photo
West nile virus was first detected in suffolk County in 1999.
To report mosquito problems or stagnant pools of water, call the Vector Control division at 631-852-4270. For medical-related questions, call 631-854-0333.