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Township of Montville
Health Department
West Nile Virus
August 1, 2012
Now that summer
is here, so is the mosquito breeding season and concerns about West Nile Virus.
During the week of July 23, 2012, the Township of Montville Health Department was
notified of the first Mosquito pool found to be positive for West Nile Virus for
the 2012 season. This would indicate
that West Nile Virus is again present in our area and we must continue to take
precautions. Since West Nile Virus is
transmitted primarily by the bite of an infective mosquito, residents are
advised to continue to take precautions to reduce the risk of mosquito bites.
- Eliminate
standing water in flowerpots, buckets/barrels, tires, pools, roof gutters, playground
equipment, etc. If you wish to save
rainwater to use in your garden it should be used up within a week. If you use rain barrels to collect rainwater
they should be mosquito-proof. Information
on mosquito-proof rain barrels can be found through Rutgers University's Website on Water Resource Programs. Birdbaths should be emptied and refilled
weekly. Mosquitoes that breed around the
home are primarily responsible for transmitting West Nile Virus to humans!
- Wear long sleeve
shirts and pants when outdoors
- Spray insect
repellant on clothing and exposed skin in accordance with labeling
instructions.
- Repair window and
door screens.
- Avoid outdoor
activities at dawn, dusk and during the evening hours.
To date, one human
case of West Nile Virus (WNV) has been reported in New
Jersey from Monmouth
County. West Nile Virus infection generally causes no
symptoms or mild flu-like symptoms. About one in 150 people infected with WNV,
or less than one percent, will develop a more severe form of the disease.
Symptoms of the more severe disease can include severe headache, high fever,
neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle
weakness and paralysis. The elderly are at higher risk of the more severe disease.
The West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of an
infective mosquito that has picked up the virus while feeding on an infected
bird. In a very small number of cases,
West Nile Virus also has been spread through blood transfusions, organ
transplants, breastfeeding and even during pregnancy from mother to baby. There is no evidence that would indicate that
West Nile Virus is transmitted directly from an infected bird to humans. West Nile Virus can also seriously affect
horses. Please contact your local
veterinarian or New Jersey Department of Agriculture for more information on West Nile
Virus’s effect on horses.
Local mosquito
commissions are working hard with local health departments to monitor and
control the spread of West Nile Virus in the mosquito population. Local Health Departments in the area will
continue to participate in the State-Wide West Nile Virus Surveillance Program
by collecting dead corvids (including crows and blue-jays), raptors (hawks) and
thrushes (robins). Residents should contact their local health department to
report dead crows, blue-jays, hawks and robins.
Dead birds in fresh condition may be picked up and sent to the state
laboratories.
Montville Township and Morris County
residents may report mosquito problems and standing water to the Morris County
Mosquito Commission at (973) 285-6450.
For general information on West Nile
virus, please visit or contact your local health department. In addition, information may be obtained from
the State Department of Health and Senior Services website, CDC Web Site or at the Morris
County Mosquito Commission website. The Morris County Mosquito Commission website
also provides up-to-date information on where and when mosquito spraying will
be occurring.
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