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Aug 27, 2008 5:01 pm US/Eastern
2 Nassau Co. Residents Die From West Nile Virus
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (CBS) ―
Two Nassau County residents have died after contracting the West Nile Virus, health department officials confirmed to CBS 2.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released and it's not known if the two cases are related.
One victim died on Aug. 24, the other day later.
These are the first confirmed deaths from the virus in the county and state this year.
In May, the Health Department warned residents about the disease and advised people how to control mosquito breeding places.
Officials say pools, pails and anything that holds water can be breed mosquito larvae. Pools should be chlorinated, gutters, pails and even old tires, which can hold water should be drained and birdbaths should be changed every couple of days.
The West Nile mosquitoes usually infect birds, killing them. Dead birds on a property could be an indication the virus is present. The Nassau health department asks people to report dead birds to it's hotline at 516-572-1211.
West Nile causes an infection in humans, that if left untreated, can develop into encephalitis and be fatal.
Stay with wcbstv.com and CBS 2 for the latest in this developing story.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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