West Nile Virus detected at New York seashore

Harris Marley

International Courant

The yr’s first case of West Nile virus at a well-liked New York seashore and campground has been detected, officers stated Friday.

The virus was present in a mosquito pattern collected from a entice set at Watch Hill at Hearth Island Nationwide Seashore, a 30-mile-long barrier island off Lengthy Island, the U.S. Nationwide Park Service (NPS) stated.

Watch Hill is a well-liked tenting spot on federal land between Davis Park and the Hearth Island Wilderness, and the entice was a part of a collaborative mosquito monitoring program between NPS and Suffolk County Division of Well being Companies – Arthropod-Borne Illness Laboratory.

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West Nile Virus was first confirmed in New York State in 1999 – the identical yr the virus first entered the U.S. The virus is the main explanation for mosquito-borne illness within the nation, per the CDC.

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The mosquito pattern that examined constructive for West Nile Virus was present in a entice at Watch Hill, a campground on the Seashore, officers stated. (Nationwide Park Service)

The virus is transmitted to people mostly via the chew of an contaminated mosquito. 

Signs embrace fever, headache, physique aches, vomiting, diarrhea or rash, though a overwhelming majority — round 80% — of the individuals who contract WNV won’t expertise any signs. There are not any vaccines or remedies for the virus.

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Hearth Island Nationwide Seashore is a 30-mile-long, half-mile-wide barrier island off Lengthy Island, New York. (Nationwide Park Service)

Greater than 1,800 individuals have been hospitalized with the virus final yr within the U.S., resulting in 182 deaths, per CDC knowledge. 

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the general public face of the U.S. coronavirus pandemic response, was hospitalized earlier this month with the West Nile virus, a spokesperson for Fauci instructed Fox Information on Saturday. Fauci, 83, later returned residence the place he was recovering, and is anticipated to make a full restoration, the spokesperson stated.

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Officers suggested guests to keep away from areas closely populated with mosquitoes and to put on clothes that covers the physique, comparable to pants, socks and long-sleeved shirts. (Nationwide Park Service)

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In the meantime, the NPS and Suffolk County will proceed the weekly mosquito surveillance program to watch the severity and extent of the virus inside the Seashore. Watch Hill can even obtain elevated surveillance.

Management strategies comparable to larviciding, spraying or space closures might happen if any threats to human well being are recognized, the NPS stated.

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Park officers stated that these visiting Hearth Island Nationwide Seashore ought to keep away from areas with excessive volumes of mosquitoes, put on protecting clothes comparable to long-sleeved shirts, socks, and lengthy pants, and use insect repellent containing no less than 30% DEET.

Fox Digital’s Michael Dorgan and Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.

West Nile Virus detected at New York seashore

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