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Residents In Nassau County And CT Test Positive For West Nile Virus

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Health officials say Nassau County has its first human case of West Nile virus this year.

Newsday reported that the unidentified Hempstead resident suffered a mild case and is recovering. The person is between 40 and 50 years old.

Neighboring Suffolk County reported its first human case of West Nile virus this year on Aug. 18. The Huntington resident has since recovered.

On Wednesday, the Nassau County Departments of Health and Public Works said they were making plans to spray to eliminate viral activity and the mosquito population in the county.

Meanwhile, officials in Connecticut announced that a Stamford resident also tested positive for West Nile virus. The patient was hospitalized with encephalitis and has been discharged.

In Westchester County, officials last week said an 80-year-old Yonkers woman was recently diagnosed and hospitalized with the disease. She was recovering.

The West Nile virus is mild for most people, but can be deadly for others with weak immune systems. Mosquitoes transmit the disease.

Symptoms include high fever, neck stiffness and disorientation.

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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