Submitted by Camden County
A Voorhees Township resident is Camden County’s first confirmed case of West Nile Virus this year.
On August 22, a 42 year old man visited his personal physician with fever, body aches and a rash. He was not hospitalized and has since recovered from the mosquito bite that he believes he received in Cape May County.
Laboratory specimens tested positive for West Nile Virus. Those specimens were sent to the Public Health Environmental Laboratories (PHEL) in Trenton for further identification. To be considered a “confirmed” case the specimen must be verified by the PHEL.
“While Labor Day is the “unofficial” end of summer — “Mosquito season” lasts well into November,” said Freeholder Jeffrey Nash, liaison to the Camden County Mosquito Commission. “The Camden County Mosquito Commission encourages residents to continue to safeguard against the pests, especially in view of the prevalence of West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).”
WNV grows in birds, and is transmitted from bird to bird by infected mosquitoes. If mosquitoes infected with the virus bite horses or humans they can also become sick. WNV generally causes no symptoms or mild flu-like symptoms. However, those over 50 or those with a compromised immune system are at a higher risk of more severe disease.
West Nile Virus has also been detected in the Asian Tiger Mosquito. This poses a greater threat this year due to its ability to thrive in relatively small amounts of water. The Asian Tiger Mosquito also feeds during the day, in addition to dusk and dawn.
“Our county mosquito commission checks a few thousand mosquito breeding sites on a regular basis. This keeps the mosquito population low and breaks up the cycles where diseases are spread from various animals to humans by a mosquito bite,” said Freeholder Nash.
EEE is a mosquito borne infection of wild birds that can be transmitted to other birds, humans, horses and other animals by mosquitoes. It occurs in the Eastern half of the United States and is regarded as one of the more serious mosquito-borne diseases. There is an effective Eastern equine encephalitis vaccine for horses and birds, but there is no licensed EEE vaccine for people. While cases of EEE in humans are rare, they are serious when they occur. EEE attacks the central nervous system, causing sudden fever, muscle pains and a headache of increasing severity, often followed quickly by seizures and coma. Horse owners should make sure they vaccinate their horses against EEE, to protect their animals and any humans they come into contact with.
“While the chance of becoming ill from WNV or EEE is small, there are things people should do to protect themselves and their property,” said Freeholder Nash.
Residents should check their property for any object that holds water for more than a few days. All pre-adult mosquito stages (eggs, larvae, and pupae) must be in stagnant water in order to develop into adult mosquitoes.
Swimming pools are a common problem. All pools must be checked and maintained to keep them mosquito-free. Swimming pools can breed mosquitoes within days after you stop adding chlorine or other disinfectant. Pool covers can catch rainwater and become a mosquito development site. Add a little chlorine to kill mosquitoes.
Maintain screens to prevent adult mosquitoes from entering your home or business.
Personal protection is strongly urged if you are outside when mosquitoes may be active — generally dawn and dusk. Insect repellants containing between 10–35 percent DEET are very effective, however, be sure to follow the label directions and take extra precautions with children and infants.
The Camden County Mosquito Commission suggests checking around your yard for mosquito breeding containers. The following is a checklist of tips to help eliminate mosquito breeding.
Dispose of unnecessary containers that hold water. Containers you wish to save turn upside down or put holes in the bottom so all water drains out..
Lift up flowerpots and dump the water from the dish underneath every week.
Stock fish or add mosquito larvicide to ornamental ponds.
Change water in bird baths, fountains, and animal troughs weekly.
Screen vents to septic and other water tanks.
Store small boats upside down and large boats so they drain. If covered, keep the tarp tight so water does not pool on top of the tarp.
Do not dump leaves or grass clippings into a catch basin or streams.
Do not allow water to collect on sagging tarps or awnings.
Do not allow trashcan lids to fill with water.
For more information visit www.camdencounty.com or call (856) 566–2945.
