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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – The City's Department of Health announced Thursday that a Staten Islander was among the four cases of West Nile virus infection reported so far this year in the city.
According to a Health Department press release, two of the four patients are still hospitalized, but a spokesman for the department could not say if it was the Staten Islander for confidentiality reasons.
According to data from the Department of Health, the disease has been detected among mosquitoes in all borough postal codes, with the exception of codes 10302, 10303 and 10307, since June 27.
Mosquito populations are at average levels this year, according to the DOH, and the number of mosquito foci throughout the city tested positive for West Nile virus is 319 this season, representing a 66% drop from to 2018.
This year, the department completed seven spraying operations targeting adult mosquito populations and three aerial treatments for larvae, according to the press release.
In people over 50 years of age and those with weakened immune systems, West Nile can cause serious illness, including meningitis and encephalitis, sometimes leading to permanent or long-term complications such as muscle weakness, fatigue, confusion and depression, according to the Department of Health.
Dr. Oxiris Barbot, commissioner in charge of the DOH, said that such actions as wearing a mosquito repellent, protecting the arms and legs on the outside, eliminating the Stagnant water and the installation of window screens can reduce the risk of mosquito bites and disease transmission.
"The results of our surveillance of mosquitoes and human surveillance remind all New Yorkers that they must take simple precautions to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites," she said. .
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