West Nile Virus Detected in Liberty
One sample of Culex
mosquitoes collected from Liberty has tested positive for West Nile virus. The
mosquito sample was collected from Lakeside Drive W by the Mountain Lake beach
parking lot on August 6, 2024. The mosquitoes
were collected from a trap specifically designed to catch Culex mosquitoes, which are the type responsible for transmitting
West Nile virus, particularly from bird to bird. This sample of mosquitoes was
sent to the state Public Health and Environmental Lab in Trenton on Monday, August
12, 2024.
This is the first sample of mosquitoes from Liberty Township
to test positive for West Nile virus in 2024; however, there has been a total
of 19 samples of mosquitoes so far this year to test positive for West Nile
virus from Warren County. To date, there have been positive samples in the
following municipalities: Allamuchy (1), Alpha (3), Belvidere (1), Franklin
(1), Hackettstown (2), Harmony (1), Liberty (1), Lopatcong (3), Oxford (1), Phillipsburg
(4), and Washington Township (1). As the summer season progresses, West Nile
virus activity builds up in the mosquito population. West Nile virus activity in mosquitoes in NJ
is trending higher this year than the 5-year average. Mid to late August is the peak time for humans
and other mammals to acquire this virus. There have been 2 confirmed human
cases of West Nile Virus in New Jersey, one each in Union and Middlesex
counties. 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 that area are scheduled for Friday,
August 16, 2024, between 8:30 pm and 11:00 pm (alternate date of Saturday,
August 17, 2024). Check our website
for updates.
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.
- Defend yourself
against mosquitoes using repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, 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.
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.
MORE INFORMATION
WNV
activity in the county: https://warrencountymosquito.com/
Repellent
information from the Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/prevention/
Mosquito-borne
Diseases in NJ: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/mosquitoborne.shtml
Notice
of spraying to be done for adult mosquitoes in the county: https://warrencountymosquito.com/adulticide/
