NYC reports first West Nile case of 2011
Raymond Pescatore, a Nassau County Health Department worker, demonstrates how this trap will help catch mosquitoes for a county survey of the insects, especially any possible carriers of West Nile virus. (June 3, 2011) Credit: Steven Sunshine
New York City Thursday reported that for the first time this year it has found West Nile virus in mosquitoes, after infected mosquitoes were detected in Staten Island's Eltingville neighborhood.
No human cases have yet been recorded this year, but city Health Department officials said they're increasing mosquito surveillance and larvae-control efforts in the affected area.
Nassau and Suffolk county officials said that as of Thursday, they had no reports of West Nile infections. Last year, three Nassau residents and three Suffolk residents died of West Nile disease.
The city in 2010 had one West Nile-related death in Queens and 42 total cases of human infections. The West Nile activity most recently detected on southern Staten Island was found June 30 after mosquitoes there tested positive.
Weather is the main determinant of whether this summer will be as deadly in terms of West Nile activity, said Mario Merlino, assistant commissioner for the Health Department. He said warmer temperatures and just enough rain encouraged mosquitoes, which transmit the virus with their bites.
"We don't know what it's going to look like this year," Merlino said.
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