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ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state residents are being urged to avoid mosquito bites this summer now that health officials have found the season's first trace of West Nile Virus.
The state's Department of Health says the virus was confirmed in a mosquito sample from Rockland County last week.
Acting state Health Commissioner Howard Zucker says residents should cover up when outdoors, use insect repellent and eliminate sources of standing water, where mosquitoes breed.
There have been no reported human cases of the virus so far this year. Last year there were 33 human cases and no deaths. In 2012 there were 107 human cases that resulted in nine deaths.
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