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.