Health Department Forms Folder 0065, 1999-2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

HEALTH SUPPORT SVC Fax:212-788-9~3~ SPb 13 '00 16:41 P. 03 EPARTMENT OF14EALTH

Q olrli'E OF 1'c10L1(' AFFAIRS 135 WOKTH S I(UCT. ROOM J29 NCW YORK, N.Y. IIM! 3 (2217%R-5290 F.AX! (212)7NK-d74o nyc.govihcullh

NFAL L. YIORFN, K1.U. SANDRA MULLIN (}unrnissinner A,olinrn ('ommissiont'

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Sandra Mullin/Erich Giebelhaus Tuesday, September 12, 2000 (212) 788-5290

THREE PEOPLE TEST POSITIVE FOR WEST NILE VIRUS

Two individuals Are Hospitalized In Stable Condition, and Oue Individual Has Been Released From The Hospital

4 New Mosquito Pools Also Test Positive for West Nile Virus

New York City Health Commissioner Neal L. Cohen, M.D., announced today that three additional individuals have tested positive for West Nile virus in New York City: a 77 year-old man from Florida who was staying in Canarsie, Brooklyn, is hospitalized in stable. and improving condition; a 54 year-old man who is known to spend time in both Sunset Park, Brooklyn and Cliffside Park, N.J. is hospitalized in stable, and improving, condition; and a 40 year-old woman from Castleton Comers, Staten Island, who has been released from the hospital and is recovering at home. The laboratory results were obtained by tests performed at the New York City Depanment of Health's laboratories, and specimens have been sent to the U.S, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for further confirmation. There is now a total of I I people who have been diagnosed with West Nile virus in New York City in 2000.

Dr. Cohen made this announcement at a news conference this evening with Mayor Rudolph W Giuliani.

Dr. Cohen said, "With three additional people testing positive for West Nile virus this year, this serves as a further reminder for all New Yorkers to take personal precautions to reduce exposure to mosquitoes and eliminate possible mosquito breeding grounds around their homes. The City of New York is doing everything possible to limit the spread of West Nile virus and minimize human Illness, and it is likely that our efforts so far have prevented many others from becoming ill. We will continue to monitor for the presence of West Nile virus across the City and will conduct targeted mosquito control efforts as necessary."

The Florida resident who was staying in Brooklyn became ill on August 27, was admitted to the hospital with encephalitis on September 3, and remains hospitalized in stable, and improving, condition- The man who has been known to spend time in Sunset Park, Brooklyn and Cliffside Park, N.J. became ill on August 31. and was admitted to the hospital with encephalitis on September 4. He remains hospitalized in stable, but improving, condition. The Staten island

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