West Nile virus confirmed in LI mosquito

A mosquito from Patchogue has tested positive for West Nile virus, Suffolk County health officials said Thursday.

The mosquito sample was collected June 30. Tests by the New York State Department of Health confirmed the virus.

West Nile was first detected in Suffolk in 1999 and its presence in the county has been confirmed every year since then. No human cases have been reported so far this year.

"The confirmation of West Nile virus in a mosquito pool indicates that the virus is actively circulating within the mosquito population," Dr. James Tomarken, Suffolk County Health Services Commissioner, said in a statement.

To reduce the mosquito population around homes, residents are asked to eliminate stagnant water where mosquitoes breed.

To report mosquito problems or stagnant pools of water, call the Department of Public Works' Vector Control Division at 631-852-4270.