County Mosquitoes Have Increased Diseases Detected

COURT HOUSE — The county Department of Mosquito Control has detected a significant increase this summer in mosquito-borne disease through their routine testing of mosquito collections.
Freeholder Ralph Sheets said, “The Department has found substantially more Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and also more West Nile virus (WNV) in Cape May County.”
“The increase in EEE is also being seen throughout southern New Jersey and in many areas along the eastern seaboard this year,” added Peter Bosak, PhD, Superintendent of the Cape May County Department of Mosquito Control.
Figure 1: EEE positive mosquito collections, Cape May County and New Jersey, 2008, 2009 (through September 15, 2009)
Cape May County,
2009 – 36
2008 – 3
New Jersey
2009 – 74
2008 – 9
Figure 2: Number of EEE positive mosquito collections by County, New Jersey, 2009 (through September 15, 2009)

Health Officer Kevin Thomas asks residents to continue to take precautions against mosquito bites when participating in outdoor activities particularly during the early morning hours (dawn) and during the early evening hours (dusk). “Residents should wear long-sleeved shirts, long slacks and use mosquito repellent. Residents should also eliminate any standing water on their properties that may serve as a habitat for mosquitoes and keep window screens in good repair,” recommended Thomas.
Through detection of mosquito-borne disease in mosquito collections, the Department of Mosquito Control can target control measures to reduce the chance of transmission to people. The Department of Mosquito Control has been and will continue to spray for mosquitoes in the affected areas. There are no reported human cases of WNV or EEE in Cape May County this year. One human case of WNV was reported in New Jersey this year.
West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis are both transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito that has acquired the virus from an infected bird. Person-to-person transmission is rare, but may occur through blood transfusions or breastfeeding.
Most West Nile virus (WNV) infections are mild and persons often have no symptoms. Approximately 20% of those infected develop a generally mild illness called WNV fever syndrome, characterized by fever, headache, weakness, nausea, body aches, and sometimes associated with a rash and swollen glands. Approximately 1 in 150 infections will result in severe neurological disease, characterized by encephalitis, meningitis or acute flaccid paralysis. Symptoms may include fever, headache, stiff neck, altered mental status (ranging from confusion to coma) and additional signs of brain dysfunction.
Infection with eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus can cause a range of illnesses. Most people infected with the virus have no symptoms; others get only a mild flu-like illness with fever, headache, and a sore throat. Persons experiencing these symptoms should seek medical care. In rare cases, infection of the central nervous system occurs, causing sudden fever, muscle pains and a headache of increasing severity, often followed quickly by seizures and coma. In these rare instances, about one third of patients die from the disease. Of those who survive, many suffer permanent brain damage.
“Residents should protect themselves from mosquito bites when outside”, reinforced Thomas, “and should seek medical care should symptoms develop.” The Departments of Health and Mosquito Control will continue to monitor mosquito-borne disease activity in Cape May County.