Suffolk's 12th West Nile case is Huntington resident

Suffolk County health officials reported Friday an unidentified Town of Huntington resident, older than 55, has a confirmed case of the West Nile virus and has been hospitalized. Officials said the person began experiencing fever, chills and altered mental status on Sept. 18.

That brings the total number of confirmed human cases of the mosquito-borne virus in Suffolk so far this year to 12 - seven from the Town of Babylon, three from the Town of Huntington, one from Brookhaven and one from Islip.

Of the twelve cases, there has been one death, a Brookhaven Town resident who died Sept. 23, the third West Nile death on the Island this year. There have been a total of five deaths associated with West Nile virus in Suffolk since the virus was first detected in 1999.

In September health officials said 387 mosquito pools tested positive for West Nile virus in Nassau and Suffolk this year, an 11-year high.

Mosquito season extends from June 1 through November 1. Health officials said residents should take precautions to reduce mosquito breeding in areas around their homes and property to prevent the transmission of the virus to people.

Officials advise eliminating standing water in flower pots, clogged gutters, recycle bins, birdbaths, swimming pool and hot tub covers. Dead birds found on area properties may indicate the presence of West Nile virus in the area. To report mosquito problems, stagnant pools of water or dead birds, which may indicate the presence of the virus, call the West Nile virus hotline in Suffolk County at 631-787-2200 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.