New Jersey Department of Health Urges Precautions After West Nile Virus Death
The New Jersey Department of Health and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection have issued a warning to residents after a New Jersey resident died from the West Nile virus. West Nile virus is a disease that is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has previously fed on an infected bird. This season, New Jersey has reported a total of seven cases associated with the virus, with six of those cases resulting in hospitalization.
Officials have reported that four of the cases were in Bergen County, including one death, while three cases were reported in Middlesex County and one case in Camden County. It is worth noting that most cases of West Nile virus in New Jersey are reported in the months of August and September.
The New Jersey Department of Health has conducted research on the virus activity in mosquitoes and has found that it is higher this year compared to five years ago. There have been significantly more West Nile virus-positive mosquito pools reported this year. This information emphasizes the need for residents to take precautionary measures against mosquito bites.
Symptoms associated with the West Nile virus include severe headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. The health department has also stated that about one in 150 infected individuals could develop a serious, potentially fatal neurological illness. Those who are over the age of 50 and individuals with weak immune systems are at a higher risk of developing severe illness from the virus.
In a typical year, New Jersey reports an average of eight cases of West Nile virus. However, last year there were 20 cases and four deaths reported. This highlights the importance of taking preventative measures to reduce the risk of contracting the virus.
The New Jersey Department of Health has provided a list of key ways to protect oneself against mosquito-borne diseases. These include wearing EPA-registered insect repellant, avoiding outdoor activities during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active, wearing long sleeves and long pants, using mosquito netting to cover cribs, strollers, and baby carriers, repairing holes in screens, and utilizing air conditioning or well-fitted screens to keep mosquitoes out.
Residents and businesses can also contribute to reducing mosquito populations by emptying out any outdoor standing water that may serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. It is important for individuals to take these precautionary measures seriously in order to prevent the spread of West Nile virus.
For more information on West Nile virus and how to protect yourself, visit www.nj.gov/health.