West Nile confirmed in 2 Huntington, Babylon residents

Two residents - one in Babylon and one in Huntington - contracted the mosquito-borne West Nile virus in August, bringing the number of human cases in Suffolk County to eight this year, health officials said Thursday.

Health officials did not identify the residents other than to say they are both adults older than 55.

The Huntington resident fell ill on Aug. 25 when he began to experience a headache, fever and diarrhea, Suffolk County Heath Commissioner James L. Tomarken said in a news release.

"Patient was hospitalized and is currently recovering at a physical rehabilitation center," he said.

The Babylon resident - who began experiencing headache, fever, body aches, rash, fatigue and eye pain on Aug. 9 - was not hospitalized and is recovering at home, health officials said.

So far this year, two residents from the Town of North Hempstead have died from the virus. A total of 34 people in Nassau County have contracted the virus.

There have been no deaths in Suffolk this year. The eight confirmed human cases in Suffolk are in Babylon and Huntington.

Earlier this month, health officials said the number of mosquito pools testing positive for West Nile virus in Nassau and Suffolk reached an 11-year high.

"Though the summer is over, mosquitoes are still active," Tomarken said. "We ask residents to continue take precautions to avoid being bitten."