Kings Park – Suffolk County Health Services Commissioner Dr. Humayun Chaudhry, Thursday that the New York State Department of Health confirmed that a robin collected on July 25th in Kings Park tested positive for West Nile virus.  This is the first bird collected this year in Suffolk County to test positive.

Residents are asked to continue reporting sightings of dead birds to the Department of Health Services by calling 631-853-8405 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.  “While not all birds will be picked up by the county and sent for testing, gathering this information is important to the county’s surveillance program because dead birds may indicate the presence of virus in the area,” Dr. Chaudhry said.

If a bird is not collected for testing, residents should use a shovel or wear gloves and double bag the dead bird and dispose of it in the trash, or bury it.  There is no evidence that a bird or its remains can infect humans.

West Nile virus, first detected in Suffolk County in 1999 and again each year thereafter through 2006, is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito.  The virus can cause serious illness, and in some cases, death. 

It is estimated that 20 percent of those who become infected will develop West Nile fever. Mild symptoms include fever, headache and body aches, and occasionally a skin rash and swollen lymph glands.  Symptoms of severe infection (West Nile encephalitis or meningitis) include high fever, muscle weakness, stupor and disorientation.   In 2006, two Suffolk County residents were diagnosed with West Nile disease; in 2005 seven human cases were reported in Suffolk County.