Suffolk County Health

08/30/2026

08/29/2026

Building a healthier community starts with active engagement. Last weekend, the Suffolk County Department of Health Services External Activities Committee was out across the county interacting with the public during specialized events.

Members of the Perinatal Health Services Program, the Division of Service for Children with Special Needs, the Arthropod-Borne Disease Laboratory, and other divisions attended several events including a Health Fair in Shirley and Back to School fairs in Central Islip, Ronkonkoma and Centereach.

Thank you to our dedicated SCDHS employees for their hard work, and to the residents who took the time to discuss our services. The next time you see us, don’t hesitate to stop over and say hello!

08/28/2026

As the summer wraps up, so do the seasonal internships in the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.

The interns at the Suffolk County Arthropod-Borne Disease Laboratory certainly kept busy during their time here. Their work included collecting ticks at locations throughout Suffolk County. They also worked to organize and identify the ticks and mosquitos before they were sent off for testing by New York State. The work of identifying ticks and mosquitos from various locations is a vital tool to educate the public as well as health care providers to determine the type of germs they may carry and strategies to avoid them. This is work is essential for the health and well-being of those in our area.

The interns came from schools on Long Island and throughout the country. They have educational backgrounds that include not only science but also history and the arts. No matter what their futures hold, the experience gained during their time here will be a valuable resource in their future endeavors.

For more information on internships with SCDHS, visit SuffolkCountyNY.gov/Health.

08/27/2026

You are never too young to make a difference in your community. That was the case when a local Girl Scout troop collaborated with the Suffolk County Parks Department to address food insecurity and provide toiletries for those in need. Legislator Greg Doroski highlighted their achievements during an event in Riverhead on August 22.

The event, Our Nature, Our Health, was hosted by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services and the Stony Brook Office of Health Equity and Climate Medicine Research, at the Riverhead Library. Many residents joined the group and the speakers discussed the health benefits of walking and being outside in nature.

If you are looking to join SCDHS at the final Nature Walk this season, you can find us at the Nissequogue River State Park in Kings Park on August 29 at 10 a.m. Registration is required and you can contact [email protected].

08/26/2026

Breastfeeding can be overwhelming and physically demanding for a new mom, so it’s important to support her. Partners play a huge role in breastfeeding success and WIC is here to help you do so. Here are some tips to help support your breastfeeding partner:

• Lighten the chore load for your partner! Mom needs to focus on resting, healing, and nursing.
• Anticipate mom’s needs during feeding, like cleaning bottles and breast pumps and bringing her snacks and water!
• Share baby duties! Make sure to handle non-feeding tasks like diapering and burping while mom rests.

Our certified lactation consultants and peer counselors are here to help. To learn more about WIC’s breastfeeding support and education and find a WIC clinic near you, visit SuffolkCountyNY.gov/WIC

08/25/2026

During National Breastfeeding Month, the Suffolk County Department of Health Services is sharing these reminders about the benefits of breastfeeding:

• Breastfeeding provides the best mix of nutrients needed for an infant’s growth.
• Breast milk offers strong immunity by passing antibodies directly to the infant.
• Breastfeeding creates a strong bond between a mother and baby.
• Breastfeeding is significantly less expensive than formula feeding.

For more information on how the Health Department can help pregnant women and new parents, visit healthybabyandme.org.

08/21/2026

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services is announcing that 31 additional mosquito samples tested positive for West Nile virus. The mosquito samples tested in the following locations were Culex pipiens-restuans- Cold Spring Harbor (1), Northport (1), Greenlawn (1), Dix Hills (1), Melville (1), Bay Shore (5), West Islip (2), Islip (2), Riverhead (1), Aquebogue (1), Southold (1), Bridgehampton (1), Lindenhurst (1), Smithtown (1), Sayville (1), Setauket (1), Farmingville (1), Mount Sinai (1), Rocky Point (1), North Patchogue (1), Mastic Beach (1) and Bay Shore (2). Additionally, a third mosquito sample in Bay Shore was positive for Culex salinarius and a second sample in Rocky Point was positive for Aedes vexans.

To date this season, 85 mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile virus, and three mosquito samples have tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus. Previously, two deceased crows found on June 24 in Ronkonkoma and one found on August 5 in Nesconset tested positive for West Nile virus. One adult, who lives in the town of Brookhaven, tested positive and was not hospitalized.

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. Most infected people will experience mild or no symptoms. Some can develop mild to severe symptoms.

Everyone is urged to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

08/21/2026

The Skeeter Meter Remains High in our area and the Suffolk County Department of Health Services is reminding you that mosquitos may spread West Nile virus, which can cause severe illness in some people.

SCDHS is offering these tips to prevent bites:

Wear pants and loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts.
Consider using an EPA-registered insect repellents and treat only clothing with permethrin.
Always follow repellent label instructions.
Cover strollers or baby carriers with mosquito netting.
Use screens on windows and doors and repair holes.
Make an effort to empty any outdoor items that hold water once a week.

08/20/2026

World Mosquito Day — a reminder that mosquitoes are more than a summertime nuisance. They can cause diseases around the world like West Nile virus, dengue, Zika, malaria, and chikungunya.

You can protect yourself and your family by taking simple steps: Remove standing water around your home weekly, wear long sleeves and pants outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk, keep window and door screens in good condition, and consider using EPA-registered insect repellents.

To learn more, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/index.html

08/20/2026

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine joined Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott and Chief of the Arthropod-Borne Disease Lab Dr. Scott Campbell to discuss concerns about ticks in our area.

As the deer population is moving west in Suffolk County, so is the tick population. Scientists at the SCDHS Arthropod-Borne Disease Laboratory are continuing their work in analyzing the tick population as well as making the public aware of what they are seeing and how to protect yourself.

It is important for the public to remember to continue to stay vigilant. Ticks can be active any time the temperature rises above 40 degrees, not only on trails and in parks, but also in yards and areas with brush and leaves.

Remember to do daily tick checks and wear light colored clothing with socks over pants.