By Nicole Falco
Spokespersons for both the Nassau County Department of Health and New York City Department of Health said residents should continue to take precautions.
"We urge people to take reasonable precautions as we have been asking them the past three years," said Cynthia Brown of the Nassau County Department of Health.
The Queens man is the first human case detected in New York State this year, according to health officials. In Nassau County, there have been no reported cases of West Nile virus in humans this year, but eight birds have tested positive. Last week the health department identified two mosquito pools, one in Kings Point and another in Garden City East, that tested positive for West Nile virus. Since 1999 there have been a total of 10 cases of West Nile virus in humans reported and of those reported, there have been three deaths, Brown said
The county monitors the situation using 42 trap sites that conduct mosquito surveillance. Brown said there is no spraying scheduled in the county except over the South Shore marshes in an attempt to control mosquito breeding.
After hearing the news that the first human case of West Nile virus this year was next door in Rosedale, Valley Stream residents seemed only mildly concerned.
"I don't worry about it day and night because you can't," said Nicole Gordon of Valley Stream. "That doesn't mean I won't use a citronella candle or bug repellent, but then again I can't stand bugs."
Others agreed with Gordon, including another Valley Streamer, Linda Douglas. "I'm not crazy over it. I take precautions with my kids when I have to."
The county recommends the following to prevent West Nile virus infection: Wear long sleeve shirts and long pants whenever possible and especially when outside between dusk and dawn; make sure screens are fitted properly and have no holes in them; use insect repellent but don't allow children to apply it to themselves; and empty out any water that has accumulated around your house such as in a pool cover, bird bath or gutter to mosquito-proof your home.
"We know it's here and West Nile is not going to go anywhere; that's why we ask people to take precautions," Brown said.
To report a dead bird, call the New York State Hotline at (866) 537-2473 or the Nassau County Department of Health at (516) 571-8707.
