West Nile Virus Identified in Egg Harbor City

A mosquito tested positive for West Nile Virus in Egg Harbor City this week, making it the second reported case in Atlantic County this month, county officials said Wednesday morning, July 25.

On Monday, July 23, a mosquito located in the area of Duerer and 10th streets tested positive for the virus, county officials said. It was collected July 19 and tested positive via state lab testing, officials said.

Last week, a mosquito collected on July 11 at Birch Grove Park in Northfield tested positive for the virus, officials said.

Statewide, mosquitoes have tested positive for the virus in 19 of 21 counties, according to officials.

“It is not unusual to have two positive samples at this time of year,” Department Head of Public Works and former Mosquito Superintendent Bill Reinert said. “Since 2008, the first positive results have been found in early July or August. This year we have actually noticed a decrease in the mosquito populations due to the hot, dry weather we’ve experienced. But residents can be assured that we continue to provide surveillance and implement control measures.”

Mosquitoes can transmit the virus to birds, animals and humans, and crows are particularly susceptible to the virus, officials said. Testing crows and birds that have been dead over 24 hours is helpful to determining if the virus is in the region, officials said. Birds have tested positive in six counties this year, but not in Atlantic County, officials said.

Few humans carrying the virus develop severe disease or notice any symptoms at all, according to the National Institutes of Health. Symptoms, which include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, headache, lack of appetite, muscle aches, nausea, rash, sore throat, swollen lymph glands and vomiting, last 3-6 days, officials said.

Humans can develop more severe disease if the immune system is weakened, in cases such as HIV, and if they have had organ transplants and recent chemotherapy. Older or very young people and pregnant women are also at risk to develop more severe disease.

Health officials encourage residents to prevent the spread of West Nile virus by following these simple steps:

* Avoid mosquito bites by using an insect repellent whenever going outdoors. Repellents are an important tool to assist people in protecting themselves from mosquito-borne diseases. The Centers for Disease Control recommends the use of products containing active ingredients which have been registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use as repellents applied to skin and clothing and approved for efficacy and human safety when applied as directed. Be sure to follow product directions carefully and consult with your child’s doctor prior to using on children.  

* Rid properties of mosquito breeding grounds by draining standing water.
Buckets, bird baths, flower pots and other containers can hold water and provide an ideal environment for mosquitoes. Be sure to empty these containers regularly.                                                               
* Clean clogged gutters; check and repair screen doors.
 
* Report dead birds to the Atlantic County Division of Public Health by calling 609-645-5971.

For more information about West Nile Virus, visit the Atlantic County Web site at: www.aclink.org/publichealth or call our Mosquito Control and West Nile Virus hotline at 877-643-2287. For information or assistance in draining standing water from your property, call the Atlantic County Office of Mosquito Control at 609-645-5948.