First West Nile Virus Death Confirmed In Nassau County

A 75-year-old Carle Place man succumbed to the West Nile virus, the first reported casualty in New York State this year. An 80-year-old New Hyde Park woman also probably died of the infection, Nassau Health Commissioner Maria Torroella Carney said Wednesday.

The Carle Place man, a business owner, was taken ill with fever and extreme weakness on August 5. After hospitalization on August 11, he died Monday, August 25, Carney said.

There is no information when or where the man was bitten. West Nile is primarily spread by infected mosquitoes. However the virus has also been reported to spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"It's very hard to understand the exposure, place, and timing. We're trying to wade through information," said Carney.

The New Hyde Park woman had fever, bouts of vomiting, and neck stiffness. She became ill on August 20, and was hospitalized on August 21. She had a history of high blood pressure but was otherwise healthy. On Sunday, August 24, just three days into hospitalization, she died.

Tests to confirm West Nile virus in her case will be performed by the state’s Department of Health.

Carney said although a blood test of the woman was positive for West Nile, the county awaits results of a second test to confirm the virus by next week.

Nassau also announced another confirmed case of West Nile in a 57-year-old Bethpage woman and yet another probable case in a 49-year-old West Hempstead woman. Both are not under hospitalization.

Dr. David Hirschwerk, an infectious disease specialist at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, said the West Nile virus often proves fatal. The elderly and those with weak immune systems are most vulnerable to the virus, he added.

"Otherwise healthy people tend not to die from West Nile. Many have no symptoms at all," said Dr. Hirschwerk.

The West Nile Virus seems to be around and doing quite a bit despite efforts by the health departments across the United States. A 64-year-old man from Uniondale was confirmed to have West Nile earlier this month. He is under hospitalization since August 8.

Another 52-year old Massapequa woman was diagnosed with probable West Nile. She was discharged four weeks after being taken ill in July. The virus is in its prime season until late autumn.

The Nassau County Departments of Health and Public Works have stepped up mosquito surveillance activities in all six communities. They are locating breeding sites and have taken a decision to use larvicides if necessary.

In 2007, Nassau County had two cases neither of which was fatal; in 2006 there were five cases including one death; and in 2005 there were 12 cases with one death from west Nile virus.