Rockland health officials report 1st case of West Nile

Rockland health officials are reporting the first human case of the West Nile virus in the county this year. At the beginning of September, an unidentified 50-year-old man tested positive for the virus,

News 12 Staff

Sep 23, 2015, 6:07 AM

Updated 3,498 days ago

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Rockland health officials are reporting the first human case of the West Nile virus in the county this year.
At the beginning of September, an unidentified 50-year-old man tested positive for the virus, which is spread by infected mosquitoes.
It is not known where the man contracted the disease, and he is still hospitalized.
Dr. Kevin McSherry, of Nyack Hospital, says that only 1 percent of people infected with West Nile virus will get a more severe form of the disease.
Doctors say the only way to avoid this is to apply insect repellent and cover up the arms and legs.
Dr. McSherry also recommends getting rid of standing water, as it's where mosquitoes often breed.
West Nile season typically runs its course by the end of October.