West Nile virus Activity is On the Rise in Warren County
Four more samples of mosquitoes collected last week tested
positive for West Nile virus in Warren County. All four
samples consisted of Culex mosquitoes. This type of mosquito is the primary
vector of West Nile virus and prefers to get its bloodmeals from birds.
However, they do bite people as well, so residents are highly encouraged to
wear mosquito repellent. The mosquitoes were collected from Hope and Liberty Townships
on August 15th in traps specifically designed to catch Culex
mosquitoes.
So far this year, Warren County Mosquito Control Commission
has submitted 314 mosquito samples to the state laboratory for mosquito-borne
virus testing and eleven (11) mosquito samples this year have tested positive for
West Nile virus. The WNV positive
mosquitoes have been collected from Belvidere, Blairstown, Franklin, Harmony,
Hope (3), Liberty, Lopatcong (2) , and Washington Townships. Statewide, the
number of West Nile positive mosquitoes is now above the 5-year average. There have been three presumptive human cases
of West Nile positive in New Jersey this year reported one each from Bergen, Camden,
and Middlesex Counties. Mid to late August
is peak time for humans and other mammals to acquire this virus. Subsequent trapping for adult mosquitoes is
taking place to survey for mosquito species more likely to bite people. Treatments
to reduce adult mosquito populations in areas of the West Nile virus activity are
scheduled for Saturday August 26, 2023, between 8:00 pm and 11:59 pm.
There are high populations of container-breeding
mosquitoes in the area that could potentially transmit the virus. YOU CAN HELP!
Residents are urged to help reduce their risk of contracting
mosquito-borne diseases by following these guidelines:
- Don't
produce mosquitoes on your property. Dump or drain standing
water. Mosquitoes can't begin their life without water. Encourage your
neighbors to do the same!
- Defend yourself against
mosquitoes using repellents containing the active ingredients: DEET, IR3535, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
- Avoid
being outdoors when mosquitoes are present, typically Dawn and Dusk.
- Report neglected swimming pools by calling 908-453-3585 or
visiting www.warrencountymosquito.org Anonymous calls
accepted. Just one neglected pool
can produce more than 1 million mosquitoes and affect people up to five miles away.
WEST NILE VIRUS INFORMATION
West Nile virus symptoms of the mild form include fever,
headache, tiredness, body aches, and swollen lymph glands. While the illness
can be as short as a few days, even healthy people have reported being sick for
several weeks. About 1 in 5 people with West Nile virus develop a fever
and mild symptoms. Less than one percent of individuals (about 1 in 150 people)
infected with West Nile virus will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms
can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma,
tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.
These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be
permanent. West Nile virus infection can be fatal.
Horses can also contract West Nile virus and get
seriously ill from the disease. There is
a vaccine for horses but they need to be vaccinated every year. Contact your veterinarian for vaccination
information.
·
Information on WNV, repellents etc. from the Centers for Disease
Control at https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/mosquito-bites/prevent-mosquito-bites.html
·
Notice of spraying to be done for adult mosquitoes in the county can be
found on the website, scroll down to treatment schedule: http://www.warrencountymosquito.com
·
More information about West Nile virus and other vector borne diseases
(mosquito & tick) present in New Jersey can be found at: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/vectorborne.shtml
