West Nile virus spreads in Nassau County

Thirteenth person diagnosed Monday

Jewish Star Staff report

Issue of Sept. 19, 2008

The Nassau County Department of Health reported another confirmed case of the deadly West Nile virus Monday. The victim, a 9-year old male from West Hempstead, became ill on Aug. 30 with fever, nausea and headache. He was hospitalized on Sept. 2, discharged Sept. 11 and is now recovering at home.

This brings the total number of individuals with West Nile virus in 2008 in Nassau County to 13; 10 of these are confirmed and three are probable cases. Three deaths have been attributed to the virus, claiming the lives of two elderly men — a 90-year old from Mineola and a 75-year old from Carle Place — as well as an 80-year-old female from New Hyde Park.

The 12th case was reported by the Nassau County Department of Health on Sept. 11. The patient was a 56-year-old woman from Oceanside who became sick on Aug. 18, suffering from fever, stiff neck, nausea and weakness. After spending several days in the hospital, she was discharged on Aug. 31 and is now recovering.

In an effort to control the mosquitoes which carry the deadly virus, the Department of Health sprayed pesticide twice — once on Sept. 4 during a ground spraying in the Five Towns and later on Sept. 10 via helicopter in an aerial spraying which targeted many areas of Long Island.

Residents are urged to remain vigilant and are reminded to continue to remove standing water from around their homes to prevent the breeding of new mosquitoes, which are active until the weather turns cold enough to have two overnight frosts.

For more information, call the West Nile Virus Mosquito Control Hotline at 1-888-844-8657.