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Un-bite-lievable.
The dangerous West Nile virus has alarmingly been detected in nearly twice as many Big Apple mosquito samples this summer compared to last year — but there have been no reported positive cases in New Yorkers this season, city health officials announced.
As of July 25, 612 pools of mosquitoes — out of over 2,000 groups sampled across the five boroughs — tested positive for West Nile virus, nearly double what was reported this time last year, according to the NYC Health Department.
As a result, mosquito surveillance has ramped up across affected areas by deploying additional traps and expanding mosquito control, officials say.
Four targeted mosquito control operations have been completed by the Health Department since July, which reduced adult populations of the pest by around 70% and decreased the West Nile infested gnat pools by more than 85%.
“The detection of West Nile virus in mosquitoes demonstrates that New York City’s mosquito surveillance system is working exactly as intended,” NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin said in a press release Thursday.
All five boroughs have been plagued by the positive blood-suckers, but Staten Island and Queens appear to have been hit the hardest, according to the city’s positive mosquito tracker.
No positive cases have been reported amongst New Yorkers this balmy summer season but cases typically ramp up between mid-July and early fall.
Officials are now warning Big Apple residents to “take simple precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites,” as mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus are usually most active during August and September.
“Now is the time for every New Yorker, especially older adults and people with weakened immune systems, to take simple precautions to prevent mosquito bites,” Martin stressed.
The West Nile virus is the only mosquito borne disease known to spread to humans in New York City and has been plaguing Gothamites for over 25 years.
Luckily, most people infected by the disease never experience symptoms — but approximately one in five may develop a mild illness that can include fever, headache, body ache, nausea and vomiting.
However, in the most severe cases, the virus can cause severe neurologic illness including encephalitis or meningitis.
To protect yourself from the nasty disease, officials recommend limiting outdoor activities during dawn and dusk, when the West Nile positive mosquitoes are usually most active, using an EPA-registered insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants while spending time in high-mosquito areas.
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