WHITE PLAINS – The first
batch of mosquitoes carrying West Nike virus in Westchester County this
season has been confirmed by the county health department.
The area surrounding the positive mosquito batch in Mount Vernon has been
inspected by the health department, which has treated nearby catch basins
to protect against further mosquito breeding nearby.
As of July 20, when the first positive batch was confirmed in the county,
163 batches of mosquitoes from Westchester were tested for West Nile virus
by the state health department.
So far this season, the state health department has identified 99 positive
mosquito pools throughout the state so far this year.
Symptoms of West Nike usually occur from three to 14 days following the
bite and include high fever, headache, confusion, muscle aches and weakness,
seizures, or paralysis.
\ West Nile virus is not to be confused with Zika. To date, no mosquitoes
in New York State have tested for Zika and there have been no locally-acquired
cases.
