West Nile Virus Detected in Prospect Heights, Park Slope and Prospect Park

The West Nile Virus has been detected in zip codes covering Prospect Heights, Prospect Park and Park Slope.

According to the NYC Department of Health, the virus was found on Aug. 10 in the 11238 and 11215 zip codes, although the DOH doesn't specify which areas. 

In Brooklyn, it has also been detected in Windsor Terrace, Bushwick, Dyker Heights, Greenwood Heights, Marine Park and Starrett City.

The DOH detects the disease by trapping mosquitos and testing them for the virus. 

So far only one person in New York City has been diagnosed with the virus, a man in Staten Island was diagnosed in July. The DOH has sprayed to kill mosquitoes several times in that borough.

The city has also sprayed in parts of Bath Beach, Dyker Heights, and Bay Ridge on August 8. There are no plans to spray anywhere else in Brooklyn, according to the DOH's West Nile spray schedule. 

Officials are continuing to test and could decide to spray our area at a later date, a DOH spokeswoman said.

"The Health Department conducts field surveillance of mosquito populations and West Nile virus testing results to determine whether or not to spray specific areas. If spraying is necessary, the Department will provide advance notice to the public and health care providers," the spokeswoman said via e-mail Thursday.

While the DOH does make its spray schedule public, last summer, those living near Prospect Park were  when it comes to notifying the community that spraying will occur.

According to the DOH, symptoms of West Nile are reminiscent of the flu: headache, fever, muscle ache and fatigue are all characteristics of the virus, though occasionally sufferers will experience no symptoms at all.

The disease is, however, potentially fatal and has been known to cause infection in the brain and spinal cord. People over the age of 50 are particularly susceptible, so if you think you have it, head to the doctor immediately.

In order to avoid getting bit, the DOH recommends that residents wear long pants and shirts—particularly at dusk—and avoid shaded, bushy areas in which mosquitoes often dwell. Wearing an insect repellent containing DEET is also an effective deterrent, and be sure to eliminate any standing water collecting on your property.

A total of 252 New Yorkers have been diagnosed with West Nile since it was first found in the United States in 1999.

Patch editor Lauren Evans contributed reporting.