West Nile Virus Surveillance Program Underway in Cape May County

Freeholder Gerald Thornton announced that the Cape May County Health Department and the Department of Mosquito Control, in cooperation with the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services, has started the 2011 program for the collection of Dead/Ill Bird Specimens for West Nile Virus testing.
Thornton said, “Past testing shows that crows and blue jays are the most susceptible of all the bird species to the West Nile Virus and, therefore, the best indicator for detecting the presence of the virus. Based on that, only dead crows and blue jays will be submitted for testing.”
The Department is once again inviting residents to assist with the West Nile Virus surveillance effort by being on the alert for dead crows and blue jays.
Here are some basic points for residents to bear in mind:
· Only crow and blue jay specimens are being solicited for testing.
· Only crows and blue jays dead less than 24 hours will be considered for testing.
· Residents can call the Cape May County Health Department at (609) 465-1209, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, to report dead crow or dead blue jay sightings.
Weekend sightings can be reported to the Health Department on Monday and, if residents wish to preserve specimens, they may do so by keeping them in a cooler, do not freeze birds. Although handling a dead bird cannot transmit the virus, gloves should be worn. Crow and blue jay specimens should be placed in a clear plastic zip-lock bag.
As a public service, the Department will again keep residents informed of the general location of where positive bird specimens have been found. For more information on West Nile Virus please visit cmchealth.net
Also, Very soon, the mosquito population will be on the rise and residents as well as vacationers should protect themselves from mosquito bites that could transmit the disease. Individuals can protect themselves by applying insect repellent with DEET to their clothing and exposed skin in accordance with labeling directions, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors when the weather permits and limiting outdoor activities at dawn, dusk and during the evening. Window and door screens should also be checked for rips or tears and repaired to keep mosquitoes from entering the home.
Additionally, residents can assist in limiting the impact of West Nile Virus by eliminating conditions where mosquitoes can breed. This can be achieved by removing all standing water from their property and cleaning or removing items where rain or sprinkler water can gather such as clogged gutters, flowerpots, car tires, or garbage can lids. Recreational and decorative standing water – such as in birdbaths and kiddie pools – should be changed regularly.
The West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne disease that is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. West Nile Virus is not directly transmitted from birds to humans or from person to person. West Nile Virus infection generally causes no symptoms or just mild, flu-like symptoms. However, the elderly are at higher risk of more severe disease.
For additional information, visit cmchealth.net or call the Cape May County Health Department at (609) 465-1209.