Editorial-Aug. 14

Help county ease threat of West Nile virus

By: Mae Rhine
   The potential for West Nile virus cases has increased dramatically this year with a surge in the number of mosquitoes buzzing around.
   The Hunterdon County Health Department is asking residents for their help in stopping the spread of this disease, which is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito that acquired the virus by feeding on an infected bird. The virus is not directly transmitted from birds to humans or from person to person.
   However, it can be transmitted through blood transfusions or organ transplants from an infected individual. From 1999 to 2002, 43 people were infected with West Nile virus in New Jersey, two of whom died.
   Just in Hunterdon, the county is trapping 500 to 1,000 mosquitoes a week from 140 locations, and that number is growing.
   According to Tadhgh Rainey, head of the county health department’s Mosquito and Vector Control program, field traps that last year at this time caught between 100 to 200 mosquitoes per site per night now are snaring more than 4,000 per night.
   The county has mosquito traps in every community. But the public needs to help since the county feels most of the mosquitoes are breeding around private homes.
   Eliminate any standing water in your yards, and water in old tires, birdbaths that are not changed frequently, pots collecting rainwater and even clogged rain gutters. All of these are prime breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
   Because the county has a large horse population, officials are advising owners to get them immunized.
   Horses are at risk of acquiring West Nile virus, much the same way humans can — via mosquito bite. In 1999, federal investigations determined West Nile virus was responsible for several horse deaths on Long Island so there’s proof of transmission.
   The county says most horses recover from the infection. However, because equestrian activities are so popular across Hunterdon, the county is encouraging horse owners to get their stock vaccinated as a safeguard.
   To date, there’s no evidence of horse-to-horse or horse-to-person transmission of the virus. And vaccines for other types of equine encephalitis most likely are not effective against West Nile.
   As for other domestic animals, dogs and cats don’t appear to be at special risk of infection. But in the past, the virus was isolated from one feral cat in Union County, N.J. It’s possible pets could acquire West Nile virus by eating dead infected birds, but the verdict is still out.
   Pet owners should be sure to get their infected animals standard veterinary care. Usually, full recovery from West Nile virus is likely.