The Vineland Health Department reports confirmation of three human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) in the City of Vineland within the last few weeks. Three individuals tested positive with symptoms reported mid-August. West Nile virus (WNV) is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.
Symptoms may include fever, headache, nausea, body aches, and a mild skin rash. WNV can affect the nervous system and result in meningitis, encephalitis, paralysis, and even death. Adults over the age of 50 years old and people with chronic health problems are at higher risk of severe illness.
The Vineland Health Department is urging residents to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases and reduce mosquito populations on their residential and commercial properties. New Jersey has seen higher than average West Nile virus activity this year.
“We can all take steps to prevent West Nile virus infections spread by mosquitoes. This virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the United States,” said Robert M. Dickinson, City of Vineland Health Officer. “There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people. Mosquitoes bite during the day and night. Protect yourself and family from mosquito bites, especially during the peak mosquito season, which lasts until October in New Jersey.”
The Vineland Health Department recommends the following actions to reduce the risk of West Nile virus infection:
• Avoid mosquito-infested areas at dawn and dusk.
• Use insect repellant—Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
• Cover up. Consider wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when you are outdoors, particularly at these times and in areas where more mosquitoes are present.
• Use screens on windows and doors. Check for and repair holes in screens to keep mosquitoes outdoors.
• Stop mosquitoes from laying eggs in water. Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pet bowls, flowerpot saucers, rain barrels, or other containers. These are where mosquitoes lay eggs. Anything that can hold water for more than four days can become a mosquito habitat, even something as small as a bottle cap.
• Empty and wash birdbaths and wading pools weekly.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools. Drain any water collecting on pool covers.
• Cover crib, stroller, and baby carrier with mosquito netting.
Keeping our neighborhoods safe from West Nile virus is a shared responsibility. Stagnant swimming pools or “green pools” should be reported to the Vineland Health Department at 856-794-4131 or to the Cumberland County Mosquito Control Division at 856-453-2170.
