The first death caused by the West Nile virus in the state of Long Island this year occurred in Nassau County where a 75-year-old man died on Monday after being infected with the potentially deadly virus, the Nassau County Health Department said.

Another Nassau County resident, an 80-year-old woman from New Hyde Park, died and many suspect her death to be West Nile virus-related. She died on Sunday, local authorities said. The local officials confirmed that the 75-year-old man from Carle Place died on Monday due to virus infection.

County Health Department officials said they received six reports of people who contracted the West Nile virus in 2008. Fortunately, none of the cases were deadly.

The 75-year-old man began to experience West Nile virus symptoms (fever and extreme weakness) on August 5 and was taken to hospital six days later. The woman became ill on August 20 and was hospitalized on 21st. In her case, the symptoms (fever, vomiting and neck stiffness) were very similar to those of the virus, but tests results by the State Health Department are pending and will most likely be ready by next week, said Cynthia Brown, a Health Department spokeswoman, The New York times reported.

Last year, there were two cases of infection with West Nile virus in Nassau County, but none were fatal. In 2006 five county residents contracted the virus and one of them died, while in 2005 there were 12 cases of infection and one death.

The most exposed to complications stemming from West Nile virus infection are people above the age of 50. The virus is carried by mosquitoes who give it to humans by feeding on them. They get it by sucking the blood from dead birds.