Nassau Confirms NY’s 1st West Nile Case in Human of ‘10 | What you can do to protect yourself!

Nassau Confirms NY’s 1st West Nile Case in Human of ‘10 | Long Island Press

The first case of West Nile virus (WNV) in a human of the year in New York State has been confirmed on Long Island, Nassau County health officials announced Tuesday.

A 66-year-old New Hyde Park woman reportedly is suffering from symptoms that include a headache, weakness, fever and blurry vision. She became ill on July 5, and is resting at home, officials said.

About one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. Severe symptoms can include 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.

Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected have symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms can last for as short as a few days, though even healthy people have become sick for several weeks.

Seven mosquito pools have tested positive for WNV in Nassau County this year. Nassau County is now making preparations for possible ground spraying in targeted areas.

In Suffolk County, three mosquito pools have tested positive for WNV since July 2 and the county began spraying in late June.

The primary carrier of WNV in Nassau County is Culex pipiens-restuans, or “the house mosquito” which does not fly more than 200 feet from its breeding site. Residents are urged to continue to take the following precautions for safety and protection:

–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 am to 3:30 pm.

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 at www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Health/westnile.html

Source: Long Island Press.com