West Nile, Eastern Equine Encephalitis Found In County Mosquitoes

CAPE MAY COUNTY RELEASE:
COURT HOUSE — August and September are months when mosquito-borne diseases may be detected more frequently. Health Officer Kevin Thomas asks residents to take precautions when participating in outdoor activities particularly during the early morning hours and during the early evening hours. “Residents should wear long-sleeved shirts, long slacks and use mosquito repellent. Also, residents should eliminate any standing water on their properties that may serve as a habitat for mosquitoes and keep window screens in good repair,” recommended Thomas.
The Department of Health was notified by the Department of Mosquito Control that eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) has been detected in ten mosquito collections, nine in Jake’s Landing, Dennis Township, and one at county park south in Del Haven. Additionally, West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in one mosquito collection in Belleplain State Forest and one in Rio Grande.
Peter Bosak, PhD, Superintendent of the Cape May County Department of Mosquito Control added, “while the number of EEE positive mosquito collections is higher than what we’ve seen in recent years, the detection of EEE and WNV in mosquitoes at this time of year is not unusual and helps us to pinpoint 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. Two dead birds have been submitted for testing this year, both of which tested negative.
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 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.
To assist with the identification of areas where the viruses are circulating, the Department of Health asks residents to report dead birds in the corvid family, particularly crows and blue jays to 465-1209. Birds may be collected for testing and information on dead birds is shared with the Department of Mosquito Control, which may choose to test mosquitoes in these areas. Some basic points for residents to keep in mind:
Only birds dead less than 24 hours will be evaluated for testing. This is because birds decompose very rapidly, and many birds previously sent in from around the State have been unsuitable for testing.
Residents can call the Cape May County Health Department between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at (609) 465-1209, to report dead bird sightings. Where appropriate, Health Department personnel will arrange for pick up and removal of the dead crows.
Weekend callers should contact the Health Department on Monday and, if they wish to preserve possible samples, place the bird in a zip lock plastic bag or a plastic bag with a tie and refrigerate it in a cooler. Although handling a dead bird is not a means of transmitting the disease, gloves should be worn when handling samples.
Residents who have questions on these procedures, on West Nile Virus or Eastern Equine Encephalitis should contact the Health Department at 465-1209 or check the Department’s website at cmchealth.net .