West Nile mosquito in Rockland first in state

• Virus has been found throughout the Lower Hudson Valley every summer since first identified in 1999
• Homeowners urged to eliminate standing water on property to reduce places mosquitoes can breed
• Virus is passed between birds and mosquitoes and humans can get it by a bite from infected mosquito

The first sign of a mosquito infected with West Nile virus in New York has been found in Rockland, health officials said Monday.

Tests done on a mosquito collected in Clarkstown on June 13 showed that it was infected with the virus, according to the state laboratory. No West Nile positive mosquitoes have been found yet in Westchester or anywhere else in New York, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Health said.

State officials are investigating a human case of West Nile virus reported in Suffolk County in May.

The virus is passed between birds and mosquitoes. Humans can contract the virus through a bite from an infected mosquito.

The virus has been found throughout the Lower Hudson Valley every summer since it was first identified in 1999. It generally reaches peak levels in late August and early September.

In most people, the disease causes a mild, flu-like illness. But it can also result in a potentially fatal brain infection.

Health officials in Westchester and Rockland have put larvicide into catch basins and other places where stagnant water collects in an effort to prevent developing mosquito eggs from growing into adult insects that can spread disease.

They also urge homeowners to eliminate sources of standing water on their property to reduce the number of places mosquitoes can breed.

In 2013, 33 people in New York had confirmed cases of West Nile virus. None died.

In 2012, there were 107 reported human cases of West Nile virus statewide, including one person from Rockland and four from Westchester. Nine people died. All local victims survived.

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