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L.I. Declares Public Health Threat On West Nile Fears

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (CBS 2) -- A public health threat has been declared in Nassau County after record numbers of mosquito sites are testing positive for the West Nile Virus on Long Island, reports CBS 2's Jennifer McLogan.

Residents are now being urged to protect themselves from the mosquitoes – and the potentially deadly disease.

"My whole life has changed because of a mosquito," Barbara Cody said.

Cody's husband, George, died of the West Nile Virus in 2008, a tragic summer during which 20 people in Nassau County contracted the disease. Four of the cases were fatal.

After a two-year hiatus, the wet spring and dry summer bring the fear of a deadly repeat. Record numbers of mosquito sites – double that of last year – have suddenly tested positive for the disease, and a Nassau County woman from New Hyde Park became the state's first human case of 2010.

As a result, New York State has declared a public health threat, and Nassau County has responded with targeted mosquito spraying at night.

"We're spraying not to prevent mosquitoes and it's not nuisance spraying, but West Nile Virus can be a debilitating and deadly disease," Nassau County Health Commissioner Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein said.

Suffolk County became the latest health threat emergency. On Friday evening, its infected mosquito samples exploded to 76, with 16 infected birds, and it may now have its first human case.

Dr. Michael Grosso, of Huntington Hospital, is treating the patient.

"Fever, headache, confusion – he was sick for a week before he came to the hospital," Dr. Grosso said. "He's still in critical condition here in our intensive care unit."

With the increased threat, both counties are spraying a federally approved pesticide containing resmethrin, a man-made insecticide nicknamed "scourge."

"I'm okay with it, as long as there's a little more notice about it," one Long Island resident said. "I didn't even know they sprayed last night."

"I'm anti-pesticide," said another resident. "I don't agree with it. I think there's other things they can do."

The state Health Department's declaration on Long Island will give the area greater leeway to conduct ground and aerial spraying, and allows for greater reimbursement for expenses to control the virus.

Doctors say there is no known cure for West Nile Virus. Symptoms include fever, headache, chills, confusion, lethargy, vertigo, and general malaise.

Residents should protect themselves with mosquito repellant, particularly at dawn and dusk, and should drain any standing water from their property.

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