Nassau County Health Department warns of mosquito-borne illnesses

The Nassau County Health Department is warning people after dozens of animals tested positive for mosquito-borne illnesses in the county.

Health officials said Thursday that sentinel chickens throughout the county tested positive for the Eastern equine encephalitis, West Nile virus and Highlands J viruses.

EEEV was also detected in horses and an emu, according to the Health Department.

“Yearly, we do have several positive results,” Ronnie Nessler, an environmental specialist with the Health Department, said. “It’s not something to be alarmed about but it is something we want you to be aware of.”

Health officials are warning people to check their yards for anything that could hold standing water – from garbage cans to potted plants.

Nessler said what can’t be drained should be treated so mosquitoes can’t lay their larvae in the water.

Officials are also urging people to wear protective clothing and insect repellent.

“I’m definitely going to be looking out a lot more. Checking everything – any kind of standing water, containers,” Shannon King, a Nassau County dad, said.

Cox Media Group