(Gloucester Township, NJ) – The Camden County Health Department has detected the third probable case of West Nile Virus in a Gloucester Township resident. On Sept. 26, laboratory test results were positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) and have been reported to the Department of Health and Human Services. Based on those test results an investigation has been initiated by the department.
“The Health Department is continuing to work with our Mosquito Commission to ensure proper spraying and testing is conducted around the region,” said Commissioner Virginia Betteridge, liaison to the Health Department. “Throughout the state, a total of 573 mosquito pools have tested positive for WNV this year, which is below the five-year average.”
Symptoms of WNV include, but are not limited to, fever, headache, altered mental status, and other neurologic dysfunctions. WNV is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States, though 4 out of 5 who are infected do not feel symptoms. Only 1 in 50 develop serious illness.
The best way to protect yourself from mosquitoes is to use insect repellent. Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents with one of the active ingredients below. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
- DEET
- Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the US)
- IR3535
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
- Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
- 2-undecanone
During the summer and fall months the Camden County Mosquito Commission schedules spraying on an as-needed basis based upon the results of their surveillance efforts and input from the public. The simple act of removing standing water from your property can help reduce the pest population in your neighborhood and assist the efforts of the commission.
For more information about West Nile Virus, please visit the CDC’s information webpage here.
For more information, or to report a problem, contact the Camden County Mosquito Commission at (856) 566-2945 or skeeters@camdencounty.com.