On Thursday, June 5 8th Precinct Police Officers of the Nassau County Police Department responded to an aided case at a Levittown residence.

Police officers reported that Nina Bradica, 45, a tenant in the Saddle Lane home, was infected with bird mites she reportedly contracted from birds building a nest inside a bathroom vent at the location.

Emergency Services Bureau/Haz Mat Unit Officers responded, as well as the Wantagh and Levittown Fire Departments. Bradica, who complained of chest pains, was transported in a protective suit via fire department ambulance to Nassau University Medical Center and placed in the quarantine unit for observation and treatment.

Dr. Maria Torroella Carney, Nassau County Department of Health Commissioner, immediately held a press conference on June 6 that addressed the concern of an infestation of the home environment.

"Objects that appeared to be mites were collected and sent to a lab for identification," Dr. Carney said. "The Nassau County Department of Health does not have confirmation as of yet of this organism."

Maria Ninivaggi, director of NUMC's infection control division, said they contacted members of the police department, alerting them to the potential that they may have been exposed.

According to birdmites.org, an education and research organization on the subject, bird mites are a "parasitic infestation from bird mites too small to be easily seen without magnification. They can quickly multiply into thousands and once a home is heavily infested, they are very difficult to fully eradicate."

Dr. Carney explained that bird mites affect humans by causing itching and irritation and discomfort.

"Most importantly they are not associated with disease transmission of any sort," she added. "Worst case scenario with bird mites is irritation of the skin, a nuisance, really bothersome. This does not pose a public health threat."

Dr. Shadab Ahmed, who is treating Bradica, said bird mites stay in birds only.

"If the host changes to a human being, they cannot survive," she added. "In this recurrent infestation which is happening, the source was always there. Each time she went into the bathroom it came on her because the bird nest was on the vent in the bathroom."