Islip Town resident tests positive for West Nile virus, health officials say

A fourth Suffolk resident has tested positive for West Nile virus, county health officials announced.

A Town of Islip resident, who has not been identified, began exhibiting symptoms of the mosquito-borne illness in September, Suffolk health officials said Monday.

“Though mosquito season is now over, this case serves as a reminder that mosquitoes carrying disease were still biting after Labor Day,” Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott said in a statement. “Thankfully this person was not hospitalized and is recovering.”

The other infected Suffolk residents this year, — one from the Town of Babylon and two from the Town of Huntington, one of whom required hospitalization — began exhibiting symptoms of the virus in August, Newsday previously reported.

Humans can contract the virus from the bite of an infected mosquito, according to health officials. While the virus can prove fatal, no Suffolk resident has died from West Nile since 2017, according to county data. The county reported 21 human cases of the virus last year, up from five in 2023, 11 in 2022, eight in 2021 and five in 2020.

Six cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Nassau County residents so far this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Infected individuals begin exhibiting symptoms of the virus — fever, headache, rash, body aches and swollen lymph glands — between one and 14 days after transmission. More severe ailments include disorientation, muscle weakness, numbness, a stiff neck, tremors and vision loss. Anyone experiencing symptoms should see their health care provider, health officials said.

Anyone with chronic illnesses, compromised immune systems or who is over 50 years of age has a greater risk of experiencing a severe infection, according to health officials.

Suffolk residents can report mosquito issues and stagnant water pools to the vector control division of the county Department of Public Works at 631-852-4270.