OSWEGO --
According to Doctor Jiancheng Huang, Director of Public Health for Oswego County, a young boy has contracted the West Nile virus.
The county cannot pin point where the child contracted the West Nile virus due to the incubation period of the virus, says Huang.
Huang says the boy had been camping with his family somewhere in the county, and had visited an aunt's home. The boy is now recovering at his home in the City of Oswego.
Huang says they are continuing to monitor and have found West Nile virus present in three mosquito pools; two in Central Square, and one in New Haven. It is also present in Onondaga County and areas of western and southern New York State.
Last year at this time, Oswego County already had 7 mosquito pools testing positive for West Nile virus. The county stepped up its mosquito monitoring program last year after a little girl died of eastern equine encephalitis. So far, officials have not detected EEE among mosquitoes caught in traps throughout the county.
The county is urging everyone to take precautions against being exposed to mosquitoes. Huang does not feel spraying of mosquito breeding areas is necessary at this time.
Last week, Onondaga County Health Commissioner, Dr. Cynthia B. Morrow declared that West Nile virus is "widespread" in Onondaga County where it was found in five different locations.
According to CBS News, about 240 people have contracted West Nile, and four have died, across the county making it the highest number for this time of year since 2004.
In most people, West Nile virus causes no symptoms, but it can cause serious health problems and in rare instances can lead to death.
