West Nile Virus Reports, Results and Summaries

2015 Positive Results Summary

WNV Positive Results	NYC	Bx	Bkn	Man	Qns	Sl
Horses	0	0	0	0	0	0
Non-Horse Mammal ‡	0	0	0	0	0	0
Mosquito Pools	827	88	133	58	360	188
Human Cases #
West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease*	30	2	8	1	14	5
West Nile Fever**	8	0	4	0	3	1
Blood donor***	0	0	0	0	0	0

 * Cases of West Nile Encephalitis or Meningitis, or Acute Flaccid Paralysis (severe muscle weakness associated with West Nile virus infection).

** Cases with WN virus infection associated with mild to moderate illness but no evidence of central nervous system involvement.

*** Blood donors are people who had no symptoms at the time of donating blood (people with symptoms are deferred from donating) through a blood collection agency, but whose blood tested positive when screened for the presence of West Nile virus. Since they do not meet the national case definition for WNV infection, they are not included in the total human case count.

^‡ Not all animals testing positive are necessarily ill or symptomatic of WNV infection. Some specimens are tested only for surveillance purposes.

^# Borough reported for human cases is determined by where the case patient resides and may not always reflect where the case patient was actually infected.

Mosquito Pools: Mosquitoes are collected from over 90 locations Citywide and tested by the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene.

Human Cases: Healthcare providers in New York City are required to report all patients hospitalized with viral encephalitis and meningitis to the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. Blood and spinal fluid specimens are tested for West Nile virus by the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene.

Risk from Standing Water

While the Health Department's surveillance efforts are able to confirm evidence of West Nile virus in mosquitoes in the above mentioned areas, given the widespread presence of the virus, it should be protected against in all areas of New York City where the virus is just as likely to be detected. Residents of New York City can help reduce the risk of West Nile virus by eliminating areas of standing water and by taking precautions against mosquitoes.

Personal Precautions

The Department of Health & Mental Hygiene urges New Yorkers, particularly those 50 and older, to take the following personal precautions:

• If outside from dusk to dawn - when mosquitoes are most active - or during the day in an area where there are weeds, tall grass, or bushes:
  • Wear protective clothing, such as long pants; loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts; and socks.
• Consider the use of an insect repellent containing DEET, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or Picaridin and ALWAYS follow label instructions.
• Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace all screens that have tears or holes.

For more information about West Nile virus, call the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene at 311 .