The Health Department today announced that West Nile virus disease has been reported in two New Yorkers, both residents of Queens. The virus has been detected in mosquito pools across all five boroughs since July. Mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus are typically present in New York City from May through October, with peak activity during August and September. Infected mosquitoes can spread West Nile virus to people through a bite. One individual was diagnosed with West Nile fever, was briefly hospitalized, and has since been discharged. The second individual was diagnosed with West Nile neuroinvasive disease and is currently hospitalized with encephalitis, an infection in the brain. In addition, the virus was detected in blood donations from two individuals, one a resident of Brooklyn the other of Staten Island. Recent reports of two more individuals (both from Brooklyn) with possible West Nile virus disease are under investigation.
“West Nile virus can cause serious illness, especially among people over 55 and with weakened immune systems,” said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. “The Health Department’s vector surveillance and control program helps identify and reduce our risk, but there are simple things you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones . Use an EPA-registered repellent and wear long sleeve shirts and pants — especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes that transmit the virus are active. Eliminate standing water so mosquitoes can’t breed, and make sure you have intact screens on your doors and windows. The virus has been detected in mosquitoes across the city — visit the online map.”
The Health Department routinely traps and tests mosquitoes from across New York City. Once trapped, up to 50 mosquitoes are batched together and tested as a single sample or “pool.” As of August 22, there have been 988 positive mosquito pools across the five boroughs this season, less than what was reported at this time last year. The Health Department is treating parts of the City with mosquito activity. Ten adulticiding spray operations, 3 aerial larvicidings, 2 rounds of catch basin larviciding, and 1,104 ground-based larvicidings have been completed to date.
