what to know
Three human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in New York City, according to health officials. The city declared late Wednesday that two people from Queens and a third in Manhattan were found to have the mosquito-borne disease. West Nile virus-infected mosquitoes are typically present in the city from May to October, officials said, with their peak activity in August and September.
NEW YORK — Health officials said three human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in New York City.
The city declared late Wednesday that two people from Queens and a third in Manhattan were found to have the mosquito-borne disease.
The three infected had to be hospitalized and two of them have already been discharged. There is also a fourth possible case under investigation in Staten Island.
“We are working to prevent West Nile virus to the extent possible through public education, wetland treatment and mosquito spraying,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “As New Yorkers, we can take some simple precautions to reduce our risk. For example, use an EPA-registered insect repellent, especially when you’re outside at dusk and dawn, when the types of mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus are most active. Also, you can prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs in your water by emptying outdoor containers that hold water or by calling 311 if you see standing water that you can’t empty.
The city plans to have trucks spraying mosquitoes Thursday night in parts of Queens, beginning at 8:30 pm, weather permitting.
West Nile virus-infected mosquitoes are usually present in the city from May to October, officials said, with their peak activity in August and September. The virus was first detected in the city more than two decades ago, and on average just over a dozen people are diagnosed each year.
Across the five boroughs, there were a total of 569 mosquito clusters that tested positive for West Nile virus, according to the city. That compares with more than 1,000 such groups at the same time in 2022.
It comes after it was discovered that a woman in Connecticut had West Nile virus in the third week of July, the first known case in that state in 2023.
West Nile Virus Symptoms
The city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said most people infected with West Nile virus do not experience any symptoms. Some may develop symptoms including:
Headaches Muscle pain Rashes Extreme fatigue
Most of those infected make a full recovery, although some may experience problems months later. A small number of people (about 1 in 150), particularly those over the age of 60 or with weakened immune systems, can develop a serious or even life-threatening disease of the brain and spinal cord called West Nile neuroinvasive disease, officials said. health, which can lead to mental status changes and muscle weakness requiring hospitalization.
2023-08-24 19:25:02
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