Season's third human case of West Nile virus reported in Suffolk
Mosquitoes being sorted and tested at the Suffolk County Health Department laboratory in Yaphank. Credit: Newsday /Staff
Suffolk public health officials on Thursday reported the county’s third human case of West Nile virus this season.
Department of Health Services said in a news release that the case involved an Islip Town resident who is older than 50 and was hospitalized after experiencing symptoms in late August. The person, whom they did not identify, is recovering at home.
West Nile, which can be fatal, is transmitted to humans from the bite of an infected mosquito. It carries heightened risk for people who are older than 50 or who have chronic illness or compromised immune systems.
Symptoms range from mild fever, headache and body aches to high fever, vision loss, numbness and paralysis, though severe cases are rare.
Long Island’s mosquito season runs from June through November. New York State’s first cases this year were reported on Long Island, New York City and Onondaga County.
Since it was first detected in the United States in 1999, West Nile has appeared every year, with thousands of human cases annually. In 2025, there were 59 human cases in New York, including eight in Nassau County and five in Suffolk.
To reduce the risk of getting bitten, state health officials recommend that people cover their skin while outside when mosquitoes are active, use insect repellent, eliminate standing water in yards and make sure windows and doors have screens.
Nicholas Spangler is a general assignment reporter and has worked at Newsday since 2010.
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