West Nile found in more Suffolk mosquitoes

Eleven mosquito samples found in 11 Suffolk communities this month tested positive for West Nile virus, health officials announced Friday in a statement.

The samples were found in Farmingville, Copiague, Northport, Huntington, Ronkonkoma, Smithtown, Bridgehampton, Rocky Point, Port Jefferson Station, Deer Park and Melville. One found in Smithtown's Blydenburgh Park is considered aggressive toward humans, officials said.

The samples were collected on Aug. 18 and Aug. 19.

The findings bring to 61 the number of mosquitoes in Suffolk found to test positive for West Nile virus, officials said, adding that as many as 21 birds also have tested positive this year.

"The confirmation of West Nile virus in a mosquito pool indicates that the virus is actively circulating within the mosquito population," said James L. Tomarken, Suffolk County Health Services commissioner. "While there is no cause for alarm, we urge residents to cooperate with us in our efforts to contain the spread of the virus, which can be debilitating to humans."